AVS 49th International Symposium
    Nanometer Structures Monday Sessions
       Session NS-MoM

Paper NS-MoM8
Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Mo@sub 3@Se@sub 3@-Nanowires and Nanowire-networks

Monday, November 4, 2002, 10:40 am, Room C-207

Session: Nanomechanics
Presenter: A. Heidelberg, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
Authors: A. Heidelberg, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
G. Staikov, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
J.W. Schultze, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany
J.J. Boland, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Correspondent: Click to Email
Nanowires and nanotubes have attracted enormous interest as potential building blocks for nanotechnology.@footnote 1@ This interest can be traced to the novel structural, mechanical and electronic properties of these nanomaterials. Here we describe a study that measures these properties in the case of the (Mo@sub 3@Se@sub 3@)@super -@-nanowire system.@footnote 2@ The mechanical properties of single nanowires or bundles were studied using an SPM-nanomanipulator. This instrument allows us to controllably apply forces (µN-nN range) to supported Mo@sub 3@Se@sub 3@-nanowires to effect nanoscale manipulations. Using the lateral force data of the manipulations, the mechanical properties like Youngs modulus and tensile strength of the nanowires can be calculated. The electrical properties of bare LiMo@sub 3@Se@sub 3@-nanowires have previously been shown to have metallic behaviour.@footnote 3@ Exchanging the Li-counterion to alkylammonium, alkylpyridinium or alkylpiperazinium counterions produces network structures of the nanowires with a defined interwire spacing. Conductivity measurements at different temperature and oxidation times show that these networks act as percolation networks and have semiconducting behaviour. In addition the corrosion rate of the Mo@sub 3@Se@sub 3@-nanowires is slowed down in the wire networks, demonstrating that the organic coating forms partially insulating layers. @FootnoteText@ @footnote 1@ J. Hu, T. W. Odom, C. M. Lieber; Acc. Chem. Res. 32 (1999) 435@footnote 2@ J. M. Tarascon, F. J. DiSalvo, Solid State Commun. 52 (1984) 227@footnote 3@ J. H. Golden, F. J. DiSalvo, J. M. J. Fréchet, Chem. Mater. 7 (1995) 232.