Key factors for ultra-high on/off ratio thin-film transistors using as-grown carbon nanotube networks

Abstract

Approximately 30% of as-grown carbon nanotube (CNT) networks are metallic, usually leading to a trade-off between carrier mobility and on/off ratio in CNT thin-film transistors (TFTs). Figuring out the key factors of ultra-high on/off ratio in CNT TFTs should be considerably essential for the development of large-scale electronic devices in the future. Here ultra-high on/off ratios of 10⁷–10⁸ are realized for CNT TFTs with mobility of ∼500 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹. We propose that one of the key factors to achieve the high on/off ratio is a clean CNT thin film without charge traps and doping due to residual dispersant used in conventional solution processes. Moreover, on/off ratio degradation under operation voltage is significantly suppressed by decreasing the diameter of CNTs.