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On the Relation of Mechanical Deformation and Electrical Properties of BN Nanotubes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Hessam Ghassemi
Affiliation:
smirshah@mtu.edu, michigan technological university, houghton, Michigan, United States
Chee Huei Lee
Affiliation:
chlee@mtu.edu, Michigan Technological University, Physics, Houghton, Michigan, United States
Yoke Khin Yap
Affiliation:
yoke.yap@scholarone.com, Michigan Technological University, Physics, Houghton, Michigan, United States
Reza Shahbazian Yassar
Affiliation:
reza@mtu.edu, michigan technological university, houghton, Michigan, United States
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Abstract

Using a novel in-situ scanning tunneling microcopy integrated into a 200Kv transmission electron microscopy, we have shown that boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) posses remarkable flexibility and convert from insulator to semi-conductor upon bending. To measure the electrical properties, the BNNT was bent between two gold contacts constructing a metal-semiconductor-metal circuit. The resistivity of the BNNT under bending condition was measured to be ∼460 MΩ from the experimentally recorded current-voltage data. Our finding suggests that mechanical straining can improve the electrical transport in BN nanotubes via reducing the band gap.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2010

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