State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
Small. 2011 Dec 2;7(23):3377-84. doi: 10.1002/smll.201101204. Epub 2011 Oct 4.
Nanoelectromechanical system switches are seen as key devices for fast switching in communication networks since they can be switched between transmitting and receiving states with an electrostatic command. Herein, the fabrication of practical, nanoscale electrically/thermally driven switches is reported based on a mobile Sn nanowire inside a β-Ga2 O3 tube. The melting point of Sn inside the Ga2 O3 tube is found to be as low as 58 °C-far below the value of bulk Sn (231.89 °C)-and its crystal phase (β-Sn) remains unchanged even at temperatures as low as -170 °C. Thus a miniaturization of the unique wide-temperature-range thermometer based on the linear thermal expansion of liquid Sn fillings in the Ga2 O3 tube is realized. In addition, the electrical properties of the Sn-nanowire-filled β-Ga2 O3 tubes are carefully determined: importantly, the resistance demonstrates a sudden drop (rise) when two Sn nanowires contact (separate), due to the thermally driven motion of the liquid Sn fillings inside the tube. Thus this structure can be switched between its on and off states by controlling the motion, merging or splitting, of the Sn nanowires inside the tube, either electrically, by applying a current, or thermally, at a predetermined temperature.
纳米机电系统开关被视为通信网络中快速开关的关键设备，因为它们可以通过静电命令在传输和接收状态之间切换。在此，报告了基于β-Ga2 O3 管内可移动 Sn 纳米线的实用纳米级电/热驱动开关的制造。发现 Ga2 O3 管内 Sn 的熔点低至 58°C-远低于块状 Sn（231.89°C）的熔点-其晶体相（β-Sn）即使在低至-170°C 的温度下也保持不变。因此，实现了基于 Ga2 O3 管中液态 Sn 填充物线性热膨胀的独特宽温度范围温度计的小型化。此外，仔细确定了填充 Sn 纳米线的β-Ga2 O3 管的电特性：重要的是，当两个 Sn 纳米线接触（分离）时，电阻会突然下降（上升），这是由于管内液态 Sn 填充物的热驱动运动。因此，通过控制管内 Sn 纳米线的运动、合并或分离，可以通过施加电流或在预定温度下进行热操作来使该结构在其导通和关断状态之间切换。
