Two-Dimensional Amorphous Carbon with Tunable Atomic Structures As A Novel Dielectric Material for Advanced Electronic Applications

非技术描述最近开发的原子级薄电子材料可以改变目前以块状硅为基础的半导体工业，并以其极薄的厚度和独特的物理性能实现更强大的电子设备。然而，合成具有可控原子结构和电性能的原子薄绝缘体是一个重大挑战。本研究项目旨在开发一种独特的工艺，从溶液可加工的前体制备原子薄碳基绝缘体。它们的原子结构可以调整，以优化其性能，以满足不同要求的电子应用。所制备的绝缘薄膜的厚度可以精确控制到原子分辨率，并且可以在半导体晶圆的整个表面上形成优异的均匀性。这个项目的结果揭示了缺乏有序内部结构的原子薄固体的结构-性能关系，并可能在技术上导致更快，更强大，更便携的手机和电脑。该项目为来自代表性不足群体的当地高中生提供暑期研究实习机会，并帮助开发一个动手模块，重点关注机器学习在本科生材料表征中的应用。这些拓展机会准备可持续的、适应性强的、具有全球竞争力的科学和工程劳动力，使美国经济受益。技术描述该项目的目标是开发具有独特原子结构和材料特性的二维（2D）非晶碳，作为先进电子应用的新型变革性介电材料。该项目从开发一种独特的工艺开始，以零维碳点的平铺和交联为基础，以固有的晶-非晶核-壳结构作为可溶液加工的前驱体，制备具有可调中程有序度的二维非晶碳单层。层接层的沉积进一步实现了在原子分辨率下对薄膜厚度的精确控制。结合材料表征、高分辨率透射电子显微镜和密度泛函理论模拟，科学地将原子薄二维非晶碳的独特性质与详细的原子结构相关联。从技术上讲，2D非晶碳单层和多层被用作2D材料晶体管和忆阻器的关键介电元件，与基于大块金属氧化物的晶体管和忆阻器相比，可以增强器件性能并降低可变性。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-Technical DescriptionAtomically thin electronic materials developed recently could transform the current semiconductor industry built on bulk silicon and enable more powerful electronic devices with their extremely scaled thickness and unique physical properties. However, the synthesis of atomically thin insulators with controllable atomic structures and electrical properties is a significant challenge. This research projects seeks to develop a unique process to prepare atomically thin carbon-based insulators from solution-processable precursors. Their atomic structures can be adjusted to optimize their properties for different demanding applications in electronics. The thickness of the prepared insulating thin films can be precisely controlled down to atomic resolution, and they can be formed with excellent uniformity across the whole surface of semiconductor wafers. Results from this project shed light on the structure-property relationship for atomically thin solids that lacks an ordered internal structure, and could technologically lead to faster, more powerful, and more portable cell phones and computers. The project provides summer research internships for local high-school students from underrepresented groups and helps to develop a hands-on module with focus on the application of machine learning in material characterizations for undergraduates. These outreach opportunities prepare sustainable, adaptable, and globally competitive science and engineering workforce to benefit US economy.Technical DescriptionThe objective of this project is to develop two-dimensional (2D) amorphous carbon with unique atomic structures and material properties as a novel and transformative dielectric material for advanced electronic applications. The project starts from developing a unique process to prepare 2D amorphous carbon monolayer with tunable degree of medium range ordering, based on the tiling and cross-linking of zero-dimensional carbon dots with intrinsic crystalline-amorphous core-shell structure as solution-processable precursors. Layer-by-layer deposition further enables the precise control over the film thickness at atomic resolution. Scientifically, the unique properties of the atomically thin 2D amorphous carbon will be correlated with the detailed atomic structures combining material characterizations, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and density-functional theory simulation. Technologically, the 2D amorphous carbon monolayers and multilayers are used as the key dielectric component in 2D material-based transistors and memristors to enable enhanced device performance and reduced variability compared to their counterparts built on bulk metal oxides.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.