Investigating the outskirts of Fe and Co catalyst particles in alumina-supported catalytic CVD carbon nanotube growth.
Using thermal CVD, the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes exhibiting roots anchored directly onto alpha-alumina supports, rather than the catalyst particle, is reported. At such roots, the alignment of the graphitic planes with the support lattice fringes depends on the support crystal structure and orientation. Surface defects may alter the reactivity of the surface or control the anchoring of supported atoms or nanoparticles. We argue this surface defect is provided by the catalyst particle's edge interaction with the support, in other words its circumference. The development of oxide-based catalysts is attractive in that they potentially provide an appropriate solution to directly integrate the synthesis of carbon nanotubes and graphene into silicon-based technology.
Rümmeli
Mark H
MH
IFW Dresden, D-01171 Dresden, Germany. m.ruemmeli@ifw-dresden.de
Schäffel
Franziska
F
Bachmatiuk
Alicja
A
Adebimpe
David
D
Trotter
Geoff
G
Börrnert
Felix
F
Scott
Andrew
A
Coric
Emica
E
Sparing
Maria
M
Rellinghaus
Bernd
B
McCormick
Paul G
PG
Cuniberti
Gianaurelio
G
Knupfer
Martin
M
Schultz
Ludwig
L
Büchner
Bernd
B
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D003035:Cobalt / Q000737:chemistry*; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D014835:Volatilization
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D010087:Oxides; D003035:Cobalt; D007501:Iron; D000537:Aluminum Oxide