As the scaling technology in the silicon-based semiconductor industry is approaching physical limits, it is necessary to search for proper materials to be utilized as alternatives for nanoscale devices and technologies. On the other hand, carbon-related nanomaterials have attracted so much attention from a vast variety of research and industry groups due to the outstanding electrical, optical, mechanical and thermal characteristics. Such materials have been used in a variety of devices in microelectronics. In particular, graphene and carbon nanotubes are extraordinarily favorable substances in the literature. Hence, investigation of carbon-related nanomaterials and nanostructures in different ranges of applications in science, technology and engineering is mandatory. This paper reviews the basics, advantages, drawbacks and investigates the recent progress and advances of such materials in micro and nanoelectronics, optoelectronics and biotechnology.

Enhancing the electrical conductivity of liquid crystal (LC) circumvents challenges for application in advanced electronic components. Toward this, using additives made of different nanostructures that could result in functional LCs is suggested. In this paper, various concentrations of graphene (Gr)/metal-oxide (Fe3O4) nanocomposite (GMN) (0.0001–1 w%) were added to E7 nematic LC. We found that the role of anisotropic Gr flakes, their edges as well as surface-decorated-metal-oxide-additives have significant impact on electrical properties of E7. A range of appropriate additives of such a nanocomposite enhances the electrical conductivity of LCs. This effect can be traced through the decrease in the formation of GMN aggregates in the E7 and increase in the electrostatic field at the edges of the Gr sheets. Moreover, the presence of metal-oxide nanoclusters due to the presence of oxygen vacancies and defects facilitates the construction of conductive network for improving the charge transfer pathways and contributes to a stronger interaction of the Gr surface with charged species. These factors can provide Gr layers as dipole moments and lead to signal propagation in the dielectric medium. Our finding conveys a pathway toward significant enhancement of electrical conductivity in the LC family which can be useful for functional applications.

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Enhancing the ionic conductivity of liquid crystal (LC) circumvents challenges for application in advanced electronic components. Toward this, using additives made of different nanostructures that could result in functional LCs is suggested. In this paper, various concentrations of graphene (Gr)/metal-oxide (Fe3O4) nanocomposite (GMN) (0.0001-1 w%) were added to E7 nematic LC. We found that the role of anisotropic Gr flakes, their edges as well as surface-decorated-metal-oxide-additives have significant impact on electrical properties of E7. A range of appropriate additives of such a nanocomposite enhances the electrical conductivity of LCs. This effect can be traced through the decrease in the formation of GMN aggregates in the E7 and increase in the electrostatic field at the edges of the Gr sheets. Moreover, the presence of metal-oxide nanoclusters due to the presence of oxygen vacancies and defects facilitates the construction of conductive network for improving the charge transfer pathways and contributes to a stronger interaction of the Gr surface with charged species. These factors can provide Gr layers as dipole moments and lead to signal propagation in the dielectric medium. Our finding conveys a pathway toward significant enhancement of ionic conductivity in the LC family which can be useful for functional applications.