Rapid Dielectrophoresis Assembly of a Single Carbon Nanocoil on AFM Tip Apex

Author

Wu, Ming-Dao ; Shih, Wen-Pin ; Tsai, Yao-Chuan ; Chen, Yi-Jie ; Chang, Shuo-Hung ; Chang, Pei-Zen

Author_Institution

Dept. of Mech. Eng., Nat. Taiwan Univ., Taipei, Taiwan

Volume

11

Issue

2

fYear

2012

fDate

3/1/2012 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

328

Lastpage

335

Abstract

We assembled a single carbon nanocoil (CNC) on the tip apex of an atomic force microscope probe by utilizing dielectrophoresis in isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The total assembly process can be achieved within several seconds at room temperature by using a simple apparatus. Three-dimensional finite element simulations have been conducted to investigate the orientation and position of this assembly. Our experiment agrees well with the simulation. The results indicate that it is essential to filter the CNC/IPA suspension and manipulate the capillary meniscus for a single CNC to be vertically assembled on the tip apex. An inclined-edge electrode has, therefore, been suggested and found effectively confining the CNC/IPA suspension around the probe tip.

Keywords

atomic force microscopy; carbon; electrophoresis; finite element analysis; nanostructured materials; organic compounds; suspensions; AFM tip apex; C; CNC-IPA suspension; capillary meniscus; inclined-edge electrode; isopropyl alcohol; rapid dielectrophoresis assembly; single carbon nanocoil; temperature 293 K to 298 K; three-dimensional finite element simulation; Assembly; Carbon; Computer numerical control; Dielectrophoresis; Electric fields; Electrodes; Probes; Atomic force microscopy (AFM); dielectrophoresis (DEP) assembly; nanocoil;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nanotechnology, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1536-125X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TNANO.2011.2174253

Filename

6081977