Thiocyanate-capped PbS nanocubes: ambipolar transport enables quantum dot based circuits on a flexible substrate

Nano Lett. 2011 Nov 9;11(11):4764-7. doi: 10.1021/nl202578g. Epub 2011 Oct 24.

Abstract

We report the use of thiocyanate as a ligand for lead sulfide (PbS) nanocubes for high-performance, thin-film electronics. PbS nanocubes, self-assembled into thin films and capped with the thiocyanate, exhibit ambipolar characteristics in field-effect transistors. The nearly balanced, high mobilities for electrons and holes enable the fabrication of CMOS-like inverters with promising gains of ∼22 from a single semiconductor material. The mild chemical treatment and low-temperature processing conditions are compatible with plastic substrates, allowing the realization of flexible, nonsintered quantum dot circuits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Electron Transport
  • Lead / chemistry*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Selenium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties
  • Thiocyanates / chemistry*

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Selenium Compounds
  • Thiocyanates
  • lead selenide
  • Lead
  • thiocyanate