| Author(s): |
Prahalad M. Parthangal; Richard E. Cavicchi; Michael R. Zachariah; |
| Title: |
A Universal Approach to Electrically Connecting Nanowire Arrays Using Nanoparticles Application to a Novel Gas Sensor Architecture |
| Published: |
August 14, 2006 |
| Abstract: |
We report on a novel, in-situ approach toward connecting and electrically contacting vertically aligned nanowire arrays using conductive nanoparticles. The utility of the approach is demonstrated by development of a gas-sensing device employing this nano-architecture. Well-aligned, single-crystalline zinc oxide nanowires were grown through a direct thermal evaporation process at 550 C on gold catalyst layers. Electrical contact to the top of the nanowire array was established by creating a contiguous nanoparticle film through electrostatic attachment of conductive gold nanoparticles exclusively onto the tips of nanowires. A gas-sensing device was constructed using such an arrangement and the nanowire assembly was found to be sensitive to both reducing (methanol) and oxidizing (nitrous oxides) gases. This assembly approach is amenable to any nanowire array for which a top contact electrode is needed. |
| Citation: |
Nanotechnology |
| Volume: |
17 |
| Issue: |
15 |
| Pages: |
pp. 3786 - 3790 |
| Keywords: |
assembly;contacts;nanoparticles;nanowire;ZnO |
| Research Areas: |
Nanowires, Nanoparticles |
| DOI: |
10.1088/0957-4484/17/15/029 (Note: May link to a non-U.S. Government webpage) |
| PDF version: |
 Click here to retrieve PDF version of paper (4MB) |
