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The electrical transport behavior of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNT-FETs) decorated with gold nanoparticles (NPs) has been investigated. After decoration with Au NPs, the I on /I off ratios of nanotube FETs decrease and some of the p-type devices even change into metallic ones. The Au NPs decrease the contact resistances between the CNTs and metal electrodes, and accordingly increase the on-state electric currents of the CNT-FETs. The possible mechanisms for the effects of NPs on electrical transport properties of the CNTs have been analyzed qualitatively. Our investigations are closely linked with some promising applications of carbon nanotube hybrid materials in nanoelectronics.

The electric transport properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) bundles array have been measured. We report the fabrications and performances of nanoscale field-effect transistors (FET) based on SWNT bundles array. In addition to p-type FET, we present a new technique by which ambipolar FETs can be fabricated. The I/sub on// I/sub off/ ratio of ambipolar FETs approaches 5 orders of magnitude. The reasons for ambipolar character are also qualitatively discussed. Both p-type and ambipolar FETs exhibit hysteresis in their electrical characteristics.

The electrical transport properties of C/sub 70/ and C/sub 60/ fullerene peapods are investigated. We report the fabrications and performances of field-effect transistors (FETs) based on C/sub 70/ and C/sub 60/ fullerene peapods. Most of the fullerene peapod-FETs exhibit ambipolar characteristics at room temperature in air. The origin of ambipolar behavior is also qualitatively discussed. The ambipolar FETs based on fullerene peapods exhibit hysteresis effect in their electrical characteristics.