Ces travaux de thèse ont pour but de mettre en œuvre un capteur de plomb à base de nanostructures de silicium polycristallin. L'étude physique des structures de type nanorubans ou nanofils de silicium polycristallin a montré que ces derniers possèdent de faibles qualités cristallines mais des propriétés électriques suffisantes pour être utilisées comme éléments sensibles d'un capteur. Les nanorubans ont été fonctionnalisés par greffage spontané des sels de diazonium, capables de pré-concentrer des ions de plomb à la surface de la nanocouche. Cette fonctionnalisation a permis de détecter des traces de plomb, le capteur atteignant une limite de détection de 2.10-7 mol/L. Ces résultats montrent ainsi que la détection de plomb est possible avec des nanostructures de silicium polycristallin dont le procédé de fabrication est relativement bon marché. Le développement d'un transistor gate-all-around (GAA) à base de nanofils de silicium polycristallin est proposé dans cette thèse. Son utilisation avec deux grilles indépendantes a permis de caractériser électriquement et physiquement les nanofils de silicium polycristallin. Les caractéristiques électriques du transistor GAA sont par ailleurs encourageants pour une utilisation en tant que capteur pour diminuer la sensibilité et les limites de détection d'ions de plomb. / The aim of this research work is to implement a lead ions sensor based on polycrystalline silicon nanostructures. This material has been intensively studied by electrical and physical characterization. This study showed that structures such as polysilicon nanoribbons or nanowires have poor crystalline quality but satisfying enough electrical properties to be used as a sensor sensible elements. Nanoribbons have been functionnalized by spontaneous grafting of diazonium salts that enable lead ions trapping at the surface of these nanoribbons. Thanks to the functionnalization, sensor reached a limit detection as low as 2.10-7 mol/L. These results prove that sensing lead ions is possible thanks to low-cost polysilicon nanostructures. Development of a gate-all-around transistor based on polycrystalline silicon nanowires is proposed in this manuscript. It could lead to increase sensibility of that type of microsensors.

We studied the effect of low energy (30 keV) ionic implantation of Ga+ in the direction parallel to the graphene planes (perpendicular to the c-axis) in oriented graphite ribbons with widths around 500 nm. Our experiments have reproducibly shown a reduction of electrical resistance upon implantation consistent with the occurrence of ionic channeling in our devices. Our results allow for new approaches in the modulation of the charge carrier concentration in mesoscopic graphite.

The transport properties of zigzag graphene nanoribbons (zGNRs) were studied by density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with Green’s function analysis. In particular, spin transport through a zGNR (12,0) device was investigated under the constraint of ferromagnetic coordination of the ribbon edges. Several configurations with two vacant sites in the edge and the bulk region of the zGNR device were derived from this system. For all structures, magnetocurrent ratios (MCRs) were recorded as a function of the bias as well as the amount of strain applied longitudinally to the devices. ZGNR devices with vacancies in the edge regime turn out to exhibit perfect spin-filter activity for well-defined choices of the strain and the bias, carrying completely polarized minority spin currents. In the alternative structure, characterized by vacancies in the bulk regime, spin currents with majority orientation prevail. With respect to both the sign and the size, the MCR is seen to depend sensitively on the device parameters, i.e., the vacancy locations, the bias, and the amount of strain. These results are interpreted in terms of density-of-states distributions, transmission spectra, and transmission operator eigenstates.

The spin filter capability of a (0,8) armchair graphene nanoribbon with Fe atoms at substitutional sites is investigated by density functional theory in combination with the non-equilibrium Green's function technique. For specific arrangements, a high degree of spin polarisation is achieved. These include a single substitution at an edge position or double substitution in the central sector of the transmission element. The possibility of switching between majority and minority spin polarisation by changing the double substitution geometry is predicted. Including the bias dependence of the transmission function proves to be essential for correct representation of the spin-resolved current-voltage profiles.

CMOS SRAM area scaling is slowing down due to several challenges faced by transistors at nanoscale such as increased leakage. This calls for new concepts and technologies to overcome CMOS scaling limitations. In this thesis, we propose a multi-state memory to store multiple bits in a single cell, enabled by graphene and graphene nanoribbon crossbar devices (xGNR). This could provide a new dimension for scaling. We present a new multi-state volatile memory fabric called Graphene Nanoribbon Tunneling Random Access Memory (GNTRAM) featuring a heterogeneous integration between graphene and CMOS. A latch based on the xGNR devices is used as the memory element which exhibits 3 stable states. We propose binary and ternary GNTRAM and compare them with respect to 16nm CMOS SRAM and 3T DRAM. Ternary GNTRAM (1.58 bits/cell) shows up to 1.77x density-per-bit benefit over CMOS SRAMs and 1.42x benefit over 3T DRAM in 16nm technology node. Ternary GNTRAM is also up to 1196x more power-efficient per bit against high-performance CMOS SRAMs during stand-by. To enable further scaling, we explore two approaches to increase the number of bits per cell. We propose quaternary GNTRAM (2 bits/cell) using these approaches and extensively benchmark these designs. The first uses additional xGNR devices in the latch to achieve 4 stable states and the quaternary memory shows up to 2.27x density benefit vs. 16nm CMOS SRAMs and 1.8x vs. 3T DRAM. It has comparable read performance in addition to being power-efficient, up to 1.32x during active period and 818x during stand-by against high performance SRAMs. However, the need for relatively high-voltage operation may ultimately limit this scaling approach. An alternative approach is also explored by increasing the stub length in the xGNR devices, which allows for storing 2 bits per cell without requiring an increased operating voltage. This approach for quaternary GNTRAM shows higher benefits in terms of power, specifically up to 4.67x in terms of active power and 3498x during stand-by against high-performance SRAMs. Multi-bit GNTRAM has the potential to realize high-density low-power nanoscale memories. Further improvements may be possible by using graphene more extensively, as graphene transistors become available in future.

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No description available.

Imposing dimensional restrictions on graphene sheets and adding impurities can give rise to carbon nanostructures with magnetic properties. In this work, zigzag graphene nanoribbons, zGNRs, with nitrogen and fluorine adatoms are investigated for magnetic properties of interest for spin devices. Geometry optimizations were done determining which position along a zGNR electrode that N and F would favorably attach to. Edge positions were determined as the most stable attachment site. M-cell zGNR electrodes (M = 1-3) edge-functionalized by N and F adatoms were investigated with respect to their band structures and spin densities in antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic, AFM and FM, configurations. Focus was placed on band structures showing spin gaps, indicating potential for magnetoresistive devices. Devices were modeled for 2-cell and 3-cell electrodes with nitrogen adatoms, and the respective transmission spectra were compared. Attaching N adatoms to zGNRs turned out to be a mode of controlled manipulation of their spin configurations. Spin gaps were identified in units based on 3-cell-zGNR electrodes.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemical Engineering / Vikas Berry / Graphene - a single atom thick two dimensional sheet of sp[superscript]2 bonded carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice - has shown great promise for both fundamental research & applications because of its unique electrical, optical, thermal, mechanical and chemical properties. Derivatization of graphene unlocks a plethora of novel properties unavailable to their pristine parent “graphene”. In this dissertation we have synthesized various structural and chemical derivatives of graphene; characterized them in detail; and leveraged their exotic properties for diverse applications. We have synthesized protein/DNA/ethylenediamine functionalized derivatives of graphene via a HATU catalyzed amide reaction of primary-amine-containing moieties with graphene oxide (GO) – an oxyfunctional graphene derivative. In contrast to non-specificity of graphene, this functionalization of GO has enabled highly specific interactions with analytes. Devices fabricated from the protein (concanavalin – A) and DNA functionalized graphene derivatives were demonstrated to enable label-free, specific detection of bacteria and DNA molecules, respectively, with single quanta sensitivity. Room temperature electrical characterization of the sensors showed a generation of ~ 1400 charge carriers for single bacterium attachment and an increase of 5.6 X 10[superscript]12 charge carriers / cm[superscript]2 for attachment of a single complementary strand of DNA. This work has shown for the first time the viability of graphene for bio-electronics and sensing at single quanta level. Taking the bio-interfacing of graphene to the next level, we demonstrate the instantaneous swaddling of a single live bacterium (Bacillus subtilis) with several hundred sq. micron (~ 600 µm[superscript]2) areal protein-functionalized graphene sheets. The atomic impermeability and high yield strength of graphene resulted in hermetic compartmentalization of bacteria. This enabled preservation of the dimensional and topological characteristics of the bacterium against the degrading effects of harsh environments such as the ultrahigh vacuum (~ 10[superscript]-5 Torr) and high intensity electron beam (~ 150 A/cm[superscript]2) in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) column. While an unwrapped bacterium shrank by ~ 76 % and displayed significant charge buildup in the TEM column; a wrapped bacterium remained uncontracted and undamaged owing to the graphenic wraps. This work has shown for the first time an impermeable graphenic encasement of bacteria and its application in high vacuum TEM imaging without using any lengthy traditional biological TEM sample preparation techniques. In an inch-scale, we fabricated robust free-standing paper composed of TWEEN/Graphene composite which exhibited excellent chemical stability and mechanical strength. This paper displayed excellent biocompatibility towards three mammalian cell lines while inhibiting the non-specific binding of bacteria (Bacillus cereus). We predict this composite and its derivatives to have excellent applications in biomedical engineering for transplant devices, invasive instrument coatings and implants. We also demonstrate a novel, ultra-fast and high yield process for reducing GO to reduced graphene oxide (RGO) using a facile hydride-based chemistry. The RGO sheets thus-produced exhibited high carrier mobilities (~ 100-600 cm[superscript]2/V•s) and reinstatement of the ambipolar characteristic of graphene. Raman spectra and UV-Vis spectroscopy on the RGO sheets displayed a high degree of restoration of the crystalline sp2 lattice with relatively low defects. We fabricated graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) – 1D structural derivatives of graphene – using a nano-scale cutting process from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) blocks, with widths pre-determinable between 5 nm to 600 nm. The as-produced GNRs had very high aspect ratio in the longitudinal direction (~ 0.01); exhibited predominantly mono-layered structure (< 10 % bilayer); and smooth edges (Raman I[subscript]D/G ~ 0.25 -0.28). Low temperature electrical transport measurements on back-gated thin film GNR devices were performed and a carrier mobility of ~ 20 ± 4 cm[superscript]2/V•s with sheet resistances of 2.2-5.1 MΩ / □ was extracted. Despite the ~ 50 nm thicknesses of the films, a clear bandgap scaling was observed with transport via variable range hopping (VRH) in 2 and 3 dimensions. This work demonstrates the first fully functional narrow pristine GNR thin-film field effect transistors (FETs). In addition we fabricated graphene quantum dots (GQDs) – 0D derivatives of graphene with dimensions < 100 nm – using a slight variation of our nano-scale cutting strategy, where the cleavage process is carried out in two dimensions. A high degree of control on the dimensions (Std. Dev. of ~ 5 nm for 50 X 50 nm square GQDs) and shape (pre-determinable between square, rectangle, triangle and trapezoid) of the as-synthesized GQDs is demonstrated. The optical properties of the GQDs such as the UV-Vis absorbance and photoluminescence were studied and their facile tunability was demonstrated depending on their dimensions. This work demonstrates for the first time the high throughput fabrication of GQDs with tunable dimensions and shape.

The search for new materials for hydrogen storage is important for the development of future hydrogen energy applications. In this Thesis, it is shown that new materials with interesting properties can be synthesized by the reaction of hydrogen with various nanocarbon precursors. The thesis consists of two parts. The first part is devoted to studies of hydrogen storage in some metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanostructured carbon materials, while the second part describes synthesis of new materials by the reaction of hydrogen gas with various carbon materials (i.e. fullerene C60, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and fullerene C60 encapsulated inside SWCNTs (C60@SWCNTs)). Hydrogen adsorption was measured for a set of Zn- and Co-based MOFs at near ambient temperatures. MOFs synthesized using different metal clusters and organic connecting ligands allowed to study effects of different surface area, pore volume, and pore shapes on hydrogen storage parameters. Hydrogen adsorption values in the studied MOFs correlated well with surface area and pore volume but did not exceed 0,75wt.%. Therefore, new methods to improve the hydrogen storage capacity in MOFs were investigated. The addition of metal catalysts was previously reported to improve significantly hydrogen storage in MOFs. In this thesis the effect of Pt catalyst addition on hydrogen adsorption in MOF-5 was not confirmed. Contrary to previous reports, hydrogen adsorption in MOF-5 mixed/modified with Pt catalysts had fast kinetics, correlated well with surface area, and was on the same level as for unmodified MOF-5. New nanostructured carbon materials were synthesized by the reaction between fullerene C60 and coronene/anthracene. Despite negligible surface area these materials adsorbed up to 0,45wt.% of hydrogen at ambient temperatures. The reaction of fullerene C60 with hydrogen gas was studied at elevated temperatures and hydrogen pressures. In situ gravimetric monitoring of the reaction was performed in a broad temperature interval with/without addition of metal catalysts (i.e. Pt and Ni). The reaction resulted in synthesis of hydrogenated fullerenes C60Hx (with x≤56) followed by fullerene cage fragmentation and collapse upon prolonged duration of hydrogen treatment. Possible mechanisms of C60 hydrogenation and fragmentation were discussed. It is demonstrated that reaction of SWCNTs with hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures and hydrogen pressures can be used for nanotube opening, purification from amorphous carbon, side-wall hydrogenation, and partial unzipping of SWCNTs. Some graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) were synthesized as the result of SWCNTs unzipping. A surprising ability of hydrogen to penetrate inside SWNTs and to react with encapsulated fullerene C60 was demonstrated. / Sökandet efter nya material för vätelagring är viktigt för utveckling av framtida väteenergitillämpningar. I denna avhandling visas att nya material med intressanta egenskaper kan syntetiseras genom reaktion av väte med olika nanokolprekursorer. Avhandlingen består av två delar. Den första delen ägnas åt studier av vätelagring i vissa metall-organiska fackverk (så kallade MOFs) och nanostrukturerade kolmaterial medan den andra delen beskriver syntes av nya material genom reaktion av vätgas med olika kolmaterial (dvs. fulleren C60, enkelväggiga kolnanorör (SWCNTs) och fulleren C60 kapslat i SWCNTs (C60 @ SWCNTs)). Väteadsorptionen mättes för ett antal Zn- och Co-baserade MOFs vid rumstemperatur. MOFs syntetiserades med hjälp av olika metallkluster och organiska ligander för att studera effekterna av olika yta, porvolym och porformer på vätelagringsparametrarna. Väteadsorptionsvärden i de studerade MOFs korrelerade väl med yta och porvolym, men översteg inte 0,75wt.%. Därför undersöktes nya metoder för att förbättra kapaciteten för vätelagring i MOFs. Tillsättning av metallkatalysatorer har tidigare rapporterats avsevärt förbättra vätelagring i MOFs. I denna avhandling kunde effekten av en tillsats av Pt-katalysator på väteadsorption i MOF-5 inte bekräftas. I motsats till tidigare rapporter hade väteadsorption i MOF-5 blandad/modifierad med Pt-katalysatorer snabb kinetik och korrelerade väl med arean, men var på samma nivå som för omodifierad MOF-5. Nya nanostrukturerade kolmaterial syntetiserades genom reaktion mellan fulleren C60 och coronene/antracene. Trots försumbar yta adsorberade dessa material upp till 0,45wt.% väte vid rumstemperatur. Reaktionen av fulleren C60 med vätgas studerades vid förhöjda temperaturer och vätetryck. In situ gravimetrisk övervakning av reaktionen utfördes i ett brett temperaturintervall med/utan tillsats av metallkatalysatorer (dvs. Pt och Ni). Reaktionen resulterade i syntes av hydrogenerade fullerener C60Hx (med x≤56) följt av fragmentering och kollaps av fullerenstrukturen vid förlängd varaktighet av vätebehandlingen. Möjliga mekanismer för hydrering och fragmentering av C60 diskuteras. Det har visats att reaktionen mellan SWCNTs och vätgas vid förhöjda temperaturer och vätetryck kan användas för öppning av nanorör, borttagning av amorft kol, funktionalisering av sidoväggar och partiell "blixtlåsöppning" av SWCNTs. Reaktionen kan också syntetisera grafen-nanoband (GNRs) som en följd av att SWCNTs öppnas på längden. En överraskande stor förmåga för väte att tränga in i SWNT och där reagera med inkapslade fullerenmolekyler C60 demonstrerades.