Electroluminescence in aligned arrays of single-wall carbon nanotubes with asymmetric contacts

Xu Xie, Ahmad E. Islam, Muhammad A. Wahab, Lina Ye, Xinning Ho, Muhammad A. Alam*, John A. Rogers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

High quantum efficiencies and low current thresholds are important properties for all classes of semiconductor light emitting devices (LEDs), including nanoscale emitters based on single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Among the various configurations that can be considered in SWNT LEDs, two terminal geometries with asymmetric metal contacts offer the simplest solution. In this paper, we study, experimentally and theoretically, the mechanisms of electroluminescence in devices that adopt this design and incorporate perfectly aligned, horizontal arrays of individual SWNTs. The results suggest that exciton mediated electron-hole recombination near the lower work-function contact is the dominant source of photon emission. High current thresholds for electroluminescence in these devices result from diffusion and quenching of excitons near the metal contact.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7981-7988
Number of pages8
JournalACS nano
Volume6
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 25 2012

Keywords

  • Single-wall carbon nanotube
  • asymmetric contact
  • electroluminescence
  • electron-hole recombination
  • exciton
  • luminescence quenching

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Engineering(all)
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)
  • Materials Science(all)

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