Methods and devices for forming nanostructure monolayers and devices including such monolayers
View Patent ↗Methods are provided for forming a nanostructure array. An example method includes providing a first layer, providing nanostructures dispersed in a solution comprising a liquid form of a spin-on-dielectric, wherein the nanostructures comprise a silsesquioxane ligand coating, disposing the solution on the first layer, whereby the nanostructures form a monolayer array on the first layer, and curing the liquid form of the spin-on-dielectric to provide a solid form of the spin-on-dielectric. Numerous other aspects are provided.
1. A method for forming a nanostructure array, the method comprising:
providing a first layer;
providing nanostructures dispersed in a solution comprising a liquid form of a spin-on-dielectric, wherein the nanostructures comprise a silsesquioxane ligand coating;
disposing the solution on the first layer, whereby the nanostructures form a monolayer array on the first layer; and
curing the liquid form of the spin-on-dielectric to provide a solid form of the spin-on-dielectric.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first layer is disposed on a semiconductor substrate.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the substrate comprises a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source and drain regions and underlying the monolayer array of nanostructures, and wherein the method further comprises disposing a gate electrode on the solid form of the spin-on-dielectric.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid form of the spin-on-dielectric comprises a silsesquioxane.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the monolayer array of nanostructures comprises a disordered array.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the monolayer array of nanostructures has a density greater than about 1×10 10 nanostructures/cm 2 , greater than about 1×10 11 nanostructures/cm 2 , greater than about 1×10 12 nanostructures/cm 2 , or greater than about 1×10 13 nanostructures/cm 2 .
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein variation in density of the nanostructures in the monolayer array is less than 10% across the monolayer.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanostructures comprise substantially spherical nanostructures or quantum dots.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanostructures comprise palladium, nickel, or ruthenium.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanostructures in the monolayer array are randomly distributed as a matrix in the solid form of the spin-on-dielectric.
11. A method for forming a nanostructure array, the method comprising:
providing a first layer;
providing nanostructures dispersed in a solution comprising a liquid form of a spin-on-dielectric, wherein each of the nanostructures comprises a silsesquioxane ligand associated with a surface of the nanostructure;
disposing the solution on the first layer, whereby the nanostructures form a monolayer array on the first layer; and
curing the liquid form of the spin-on-dielectric to provide a solid form of the spin-on-dielectric.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first layer is disposed on a semiconductor substrate.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the substrate comprises a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source and drain regions and underlying the monolayer array of nanostructures, and wherein the method further comprises disposing a gate electrode on the solid form of the spin-on-dielectric.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the liquid form of the spin-on-dielectric comprises aluminum i-propoxide, tri-methyl aluminum, tri-ethyl aluminum, hafnium t-butoxide, hafnium ethoxide, tetrabenzyl hafnium, tris(cyclopentadienyl)lanthanum, tris(i-propylcyclopentadienyl)lanthanum, pentakis(dimethylamino)tantalum, tantalum methoxide, or tantalum ethoxide.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the liquid form of the spin-on-dielectric is a liquid form of a spin-on-glass, and wherein the solid form of the spin-on-dielectric is a solid form of a spin-on-glass.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the monolayer array of nanostructures has a density greater than about 1×10 10 nanostructures/cm 2 , greater than about 1×10 11 nanostructures/cm 2 , greater than about 1×10 12 nanostructures/cm 2 , or greater than about 1×10 13 nanostructures/cm 2 .
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the nanostructures comprise substantially spherical nanostructures or quantum dots.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the nanostructures have a work function of about 4.5 eV or higher.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: an oxide and a nitride.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: silicon oxide, silicon nitride, hafnium oxide, and alumina.