Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs); history and future prospects for electronic applications

For more than the last 50 years, tremendous researchers have managed to drive revolutionary technology by shrinking silicon transistors, the key building blocks for all computing technology. However, as transistors are approaching fundamental roadblocks which cannot still be in a fashion to be smaller from silicon, researchers are therefore looking for materials to replace silicon. In this sense, among a variety of candidates beyond silicon, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has been regarded as one of viable options because of ideal electrostatic coupling coming from one dimensional structure, the ability to operate at low voltages, and their exceptional electrical-performance in devices less than 10 nm. However, the road to producing transistors from single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has been hedged about heterogeneous electrical properties (i.e., semiconducting vs. metallic) and controllably positioning these tiny molecular cylinders (~1 nm diameter). To address this issue, one of the most fascinating methods has been reported as "thermocapillarity enabled purification (TcEP)" for obtaining arrays of highly purified semiconducting CNTs with its process scalability and compatibility with the state of the art Si technology. In this talk, we will overview key technologies of TcEP and address future aspects on electronic application based on pristine form of SWNTs after purification.