Research in the Collins group is focused on the interdependence of surface chemistry and electronic transport. This rich, interdisciplinary field has traditionally been studied using ultrathin, two-dimensional films, but the advent of one-dimensional nanomaterials provides new research opportunities. One-dimensional conductors amplify the interplay between chemistry and transport, to the point that single adducts or defects can produce measurable electrical effects. Furthermore, one-dimensional devices are closely aligned with next-generation devices in the semiconductor industry's roadmap. While many types of conductive nanowires are experimentally available, most of our work is accomplished using individual, isolated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Pristine SWNTs are quasi-one-dimensional conductors with long mean free paths at room temperature. Because the entire transport current in a SWNT is confined to the surface interface with its environment, SWNT devices provide an ideal test platform for investigating electronic consequences of point defects and other chemical modifications. Our research investigates conductance, transconductance, noise, and contact and substrate effects. Individual SWNTs are typically interrogated before, during, and after modifications that include covalent addition, noncovalent adsorption, coating or electrodeposition, electrochemical doping, or thermal processing. The research combines traditional semiconductor characterization with optical and scanning probe techniques. The links below and to the right lead to more specific descriptions of current research projects. Electronic Scattering by Defects Single Molecule Sensing & Transduction Nanoscale Electrochemistry and Li+ Ion Batteries

Creating Point Defects Scanning Probe Techniques Nonlinear Optics Single Molecule Enzymology