They may one day be faster, cheaper replacements for silicon-based integrated circuits because the atoms that make up the wall of the nanotube can be arranged so the molecules conduct electricity like a metal or like a semiconductor.
But the edges of those sheets can combine in dozens of different ways, which influences whether the nanotubes conduct electricity like a metal or like a semiconductor.
(Meaning it is safe to be used as wedding bands and as grills). However, nanogold helps chemical reactions as a catalyst, and conducts electricity like a semiconductor, similar to silicon in our computers.
The measurements of photoresponse properties were conducted by a semiconductor characterization system (Keithley 4200 SCS).
In a typical batch of nanotubes, as much as 30percentt of them act as a metal, constantly conducting electricity (unlike a semiconductor), making them useless as transistors.
The researchers also found that the nitrogen had changed from a poor-conducting insulator to a semiconductor like silicon.
For a decade, scientists have known that carbon nanotubes conduct electricity with either low resistance, like a metal, or variable resistance, like a semiconductor.
The structure of the molecule is such that it acts like a semiconductor if a charge is placed across it.
It is like a semiconductor chip made of rubber instead of silicon, with valves instead of transistors.
When the nanotubes form with smoother iron, the nanotubes are more flawed and act more like a semiconductor.
When it is rolled up slightly misaligned, so there are points at the edges, it acts like a semiconductor.
