title: Mechanisms for catalytic CVD growth of multiwalled carbon nanotubes.
abstract: Carbon nanotubes possess unique properties that make them potentially ideal materials for various technological applications. However, a basic growth mechanism explaining the way metallic atoms interact with carbon to nucleate, grow and heal CNTs still needs to be understood. In this review paper we describe the mechanisms of catalytic chemical vapor deposition growth of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers, the role of various parameters that govern their growth kinetics and the knowledge added to singlewalled nanotube growth. We also examine future strategies needed to reveal complete knowledge of the growth mechanisms of carbon nanotubes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Material Science and Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 Eighth Street, Troy, New York 12180, USA.
authors.forename: Navdeep
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bajwa
authors.forename: Xuesong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Pulickel M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ajayan
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vajtai
mesh_terms: D002384:Catalysis; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon