Molecular approach to semiconductors: a shift towards ecofriendly manufacturing and neuroinspired interfaces

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Kirill Yu Monakhov - , Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (Author)
  • Christoph Meinecke - , Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)
  • Marco Moors - , Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (Author)
  • Carolin Schmitz-Antoniak - , Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau (Author)
  • Thomas Blaudeck - , Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)
  • Julia Hann - , Chemnitz University of Technology (Author)
  • Christopher Bickmann - , Chemnitz University of Technology (Author)
  • Danny Reuter - , Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)
  • Thomas Otto - , Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)
  • Stefan E. Schulz - , Chemnitz University of Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems (Author)
  • Harish Parala - , Ruhr University Bochum (Author)
  • Anjana Devi - , Ruhr University Bochum, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems (Author)

Abstract

Energy dissipation through physical downscaling towards more complex types of memory and logic devices, loss of ultrapure water and consumption of large amounts of (toxic) chemicals for wafer cleaning processes, as well as high thermal budget of solid-state synthesis and thin film growth of standard semiconductors including the use of rare earth elements - all this poses great challenges for semiconductor materials science and technology. Therefore, research and development of alternative methods for micro- and nanofabrication and chemical functionalization of a new type of resource- and energy-efficient semiconductors as the core component of every computer chip is crucial. One of the promising opportunities is the transformation of today's complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) electronics into ecofriendly and neuroinspired electronics driven by molecular design and multi-level switching mechanisms at room temperature. The sustainable chemical technology of electron transport and switching materials in semiconductor manufacturing and the development of devices with new unconventional nanophysics, improved performance, and augmented functionalities (beyond-CMOS and More-than-Moore) is becoming increasingly important in the context of a gradual transition to a future-oriented concept of Internet of Everything (IoE). In this article, we focus on the technological significance of semiconductor preparation from single-source (molecular) precursors and the prospect of functionalizing semiconductors using DNA origami nanotechnology and stimuli-responsive metal-oxygen cluster ions such as polyoxometalates (POMs). We also describe the advanced characterization of these qualified molecular systems by soft X-rays. We emphasize the technical relevance of using solution-based methods for the bottom-up preparation of novel and hybrid semiconductors as well as their challenging scalability and the compatibility of methods of molecular technology with lithography-based mass production. Our article aims to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1313-1331
Number of pages19
JournalPure and Applied Chemistry
Volume96
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2024
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • 2D materials, biological computation, DNA origami, Global Conversation on Sustainability, molecular electronics, polyoxometalates, semiconductors, Sustainable Chemistry 2023