Growth of carbon nanotubes on quasicrystalline alloys

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the synthesis of aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes on decagonal quasicrystalline alloys using chemical vapor deposition, revealing substrate-dependent growth and unique structural features with potential heat sink applications.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the growth of carbon nanotubes on quasicrystalline alloys, highlighting substrate effects and structural characteristics not previously reported.

Findings

MWNTs grow aligned on decagonal quasicrystals

No significant growth on icosahedral quasicrystals

Presence of iron-filled cores in nanotubes

Abstract

We report on the synthesis of carbon nanotubes on quasicrystalline alloys. Aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on the conducting faces of decagonal quasicrystals were synthesized using floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition. The alignment of the nanotubes was found perpendicular to the decagonal faces of the quasicrystals. A comparison between the growth and tube quality has also been made between tubes grown on various quasicrystalline and SiO2 substrates. While a significant MWNT growth was observed on decagonal quasicrystalline substrate, there was no significant growth observed on icosahedral quasicrystalline substrate. Raman spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) results show high crystalline nature of the nanotubes. Presence of continuous iron filled core in the nanotubes grown on these substrates was also observed, which is typically not seen in MWNTs grown using similar process on silicon and/or silicon dioxide substrates. The study has important implications for understanding the growth mechanism of MWNTs on conducting substrates which have potential applications as heat sinks.