abstract
- Theoretical considerations suggest that the mechanical and electrical properties of carbon nanowires are exceptional when two-dimensional graphene is self-assembled into one-dimensional macroscopic graphene wires; however, the actual values are much lower than the theoretical values due to structural defects and the weakening of scaling effects. Here graphite-microstructure growth in on-chip nanowires has been developed through the oxidation, electrohydrodynamic fluid jetting, and sequential carbonization of carbon wire precursors at 1000 °C. Using this method, graphite nanowires as small as a dozen nanometers are arrayed on carbon-structure-based chips by continuously orienting and minimally hybridizing carbon molecular chains along the axial direction. We find that the graphite nanowires exhibit unexpected tensile strength (67.66 GPa) while having superior modulus (788 GPa) and highly electrical conductivity (8.56 × 105 S/m). Our results demonstrate the presence of polymer structure for continuously orienting and minimally hybridizing carbon molecular chains during graphite-microstructure growth. The ability to improve the forming scale of graphite wires from macroscopic dimensions down to tens of nanometers, structure defects into performance-favorable graphite microstructure, and incorporate graphite nanowires onto the carbon-based structure of chips creates opportunities for research into correlated multi-functional chips that have not previously been technically possible.