Comparative study of the catalytic growth of patterned carbon nanotube films

TL;DR

This study compares the effectiveness of Fe, Ni, and Co catalysts in growing patterned multi-wall carbon nanotubes via catalytic decomposition of acetylene, identifying optimal conditions and proposing a growth mechanism.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of different catalysts and temperature effects on patterned carbon nanotube growth, highlighting iron's superior efficiency and optimal growth conditions.

Findings

Iron catalyst yields the most efficient nanotube growth.

Optimal growth temperature range is 650C-720C.

Higher temperatures tend to produce thicker nanotubes.

Abstract

Three different catalysts (Fe, Ni, Co nitrates dissolved in ethanol) were patterned on a SiO2/Si substrate and multi-wall carbon nanotubes were grown by catalytic decomposition of acetylene. We compare the growth of the carbon nanostructures in the temperature range between 580C and 1000C. With our experimental set-up the catalyst solutions of cobalt and nickel were found to be less efficient than the one of iron. An optimal production of multi-wall nanotubes was observed at temperatures between 650C and 720C with the iron solution as catalyst. We found a tendency towards thicker structures with higher temperatures. Finally, we suggest a mechanism for the growth of these carbon structures.