Carbon nanotube-derived highly conductive graphene nanoribbons for electronic applications

Graphene and its derivatives have the potential to alter future nanoelectronic devices owing to their size and edge shape-dependent excellent electronic attributes. In particular, graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have finite band gap contrary to graphene, which is an essential requirement of many electronic devices. In this report, we have demonstrated a facile method to prepare highly conductive GNRs via microwave treatment of acid processed carbon nanotubes. Microwave treatment simultaneously exfoliated and reduced carbon nanotubes. Morphological details of the prepared GNRs have been investigated by transmission and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques. Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometery techniques were employed to examine structural and electronic alteration during oxidation and reduction processes. Current-Voltage characteristics were recorded using source meter. Considerable enhancement in electrical conduction assured efficient reduction after microwave treatment. The proposed technique is an important step towards the development of GNR based electronic devices.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates a facile method to prepare highly conductive graphene nanoribbons via microwave treatment of acid processed carbon nanotubes, which is an important step towards the development of GNR based electronic devices.