title: Electrochemical modification of vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays.
abstract: Electrochemical oxidation and reduction were utilized to modify vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays grown on a porous network of conductive carbon microfibers. Ultrafast and complete CNT opening and purification were achieved through electrochemical oxidation. Highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles were then uniformly and densely deposited as electrocatalysts onto the surface of these CNTs through electrochemical reduction. Using supercritical drying techniques, we demonstrate that the unidirectionally aligned and laterally spaced geometry of the CNT arrays can be fully retained after being subjected to each step of electrochemical modification. The open-tipped CNTs can also be electrochemically detached in full lengths from the supporting substrates and harvested if needed.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science & Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0411, USA.
authors.forename: X R
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Aubuchon
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Gapin
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Talbot
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jin