Carbon nanotube active-matrix backplanes for conformal electronics and sensors

Nano Lett. 2011 Dec 14;11(12):5408-13. doi: 10.1021/nl203117h. Epub 2011 Nov 9.

Abstract

In this paper, we report a promising approach for fabricating large-scale flexible and stretchable electronics using a semiconductor-enriched carbon nanotube solution. Uniform semiconducting nanotube networks with superb electrical properties (mobility of ∼20 cm2 V(-1) s(-1) and ION/IOFF of ∼10(4)) are obtained on polyimide substrates. The substrate is made stretchable by laser cutting a honeycomb mesh structure, which combined with nanotube-network transistors enables highly robust conformal electronic devices with minimal device-to-device stochastic variations. The utility of this device concept is demonstrated by fabricating an active-matrix backplane (12×8 pixels, physical size of 6×4 cm2) for pressure mapping using a pressure sensitive rubber as the sensor element.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.