(Nanowork News) A research group led by the University of Tsukuba and the University of Rennes has revealed a unique phenomenon in which the nested structure of carbon nanotubes surrounded by boron nitride nanotubes allows unique electron escape paths when exposed to light. This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for a variety of applications, including the fabrication of high-speed optical devices, rapid control of electrons and other particles produced by exposure to light, and effective heat dissipation in the devices.
Recent research has shown that materials composed of layers of atom-thick tubes (low-dimensional materials) can exhibit new properties. The static properties of these structures, such as electrical conduction, have been widely studied. However, dynamic properties such as electron transfer between layers and atomic motions induced by light exposure have been less studied.
![Photoinduced dynamics during electron transfer from narrow to wide bandgap layers in one-dimensional heterostructure materials.](https://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology-news3/id65352_1.jpg)
In this study (Nature Communications, “Photoinduced dynamics during electron transfer from narrow to wide bandgap layers in one-dimensional heterostructure materials”), researchers created nested cylindrical structures by wrapping carbon nanotubes (CNTs) around boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). Made it. They then observed the movement of electrons and atoms induced by ultrashort-range light exposure in the 1D material.
Electron motion was monitored using broadband ultrafast optical spectroscopy measurements, which can capture instantaneous changes in molecular and electronic structure due to light irradiation with an accuracy of one trillionth of a second.-13S). The motion of the atoms was observed using ultrafast time-resolved electron diffraction, which can monitor structural dynamics with an accuracy of trillionths of a second.-12S).
The researchers discovered that stacking different types of low-dimensional materials together creates pathways (or channels) through which electrons can escape from specific subparts of the material. They also found that electrons generated by exposing CNTs to light can be transferred to BNNTs through these electron channels. The energy of these excited electrons is quickly converted into thermal energy within the BNNT, promoting a very fast conversion to thermal energy.
Through this study, a new physical phenomenon that occurs at the interface of two different materials was revealed. In addition to the ultrafast movement of thermal energy, this phenomenon has potential applications in a variety of new technologies, including the development of ultrafast optical devices and the ultrafast manipulation of electrons and holes created by exposure to light.