From Single-Nanowire Biosensors to Nanowire Networks for Transparent Electrodes: A Framework to Reduce Fabrication Cost and Improve Device Functionality

Abstract

Abstract Field-assisted nanowire positioning is a cost-effective technique that uses an AC electric field for fabricating nanowire devices. The values of several variables involved, such as the electrode geometry and the frequency and magnitude of the applied field, need to be chosen to increase overall area coverage, while maintaining functionality. Insufficient understanding of the effect of each variable can escalate disruptive forces and effects, e.g. electroosmotic flow and electrode polarization, that hinder nanowire positioning. We introduce a quantitative guideline for calculating variable values to fabricate nanowire devices, which replaces a tedious and costly trial-and-error process. Earlier experimental demonstrations of attogram-level mass sensitivity with nanoresonators were made using nanopatterning methods, cost-prohibitive for commercial application. We demonstrate a low-cost method for making biosensors of the same sensitivity, with high yield, and for large transparent electrodes with high transmissivity and conductivity.