abstract
Progress in the field of femtogram (10(-15) g) mass delivery relies on finding dependable transport vehicles and uncomplicated methods to tailor the deposition of active substances. Here, current-conductive containers consisting of turbostratic carbon nanotubes were used to store a light-emitting ternary alloy and guide its delivery on demand. We found that the electrically-activated delivery process of this sublimable compound, performed inside a transmission electron microscope, was highly dependent on factors such as the substrate type and current injection mode. Furthermore, our observations suggest that the alleged "missing matter" problem is not solely due to surface migration. Besides extending the field of electrical delivery to the realm of functional materials, the extrusion and mass transport of a sublimable II-VI compound demonstrates that it is possible to guide vapor migration using a carbon nanotube support. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
keywords
DRUG-DELIVERY; RELEASE
subject category
Chemistry; Materials Science
authors
Costa, PMFJ; Gautam, UK; Bando, Y; Golberg, D
our authors
Pedro Miguel Ferreira Joaquim da Costa
ResearcherGroups
acknowledgements
We are grateful for a research visiting grant from MANA and FCT for a Ciencia 2007 Fellowship. The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is acknowledged for an Experienced Researchers' Fellowship.