Growth of carbon nanotubes on copper substrates using a nickel thin film catalyst

Gowtam Atthipalli, Prashant N. Kumta, Wei Wang, Rigved Epur, Prashanth H. Jampani, Brett L. Allen, Yifan Tang, Alexander Star, Jennifer L. Gray

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes with their attractive properties, one-dimensional geometry, and their large aspect ratio are ideal candidates for a variety of applications including energy storage, sensing, nanoelectronics, among others. We have studied the growth of carbon nanotubes on copper substrates using a nickel thin film as a catalyst. The catalyst was sputtered in a chamber with a base pressure in the ultra-high-vacuum regime. By adjusting the sputtering parameters, the effects of the morphology and the thickness of the nickel catalyst on the growth of carbon nanotubes have also been investigated. Multiple hydrocarbon sources as carbon feedstock (methane, acetylene and m-xylene), corresponding catalyst precursors and varying temperature conditions were used during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to understand and determine the best conditions for growth of carbon nanotubes on copper. Correlation between the thickness of the thin film nickel catalyst and the carbon nanotube diameter is also presented in the study. Characterization techniques used to study the morphology of the CNTs grown on copper include SEM, TEM, HRTEM, Raman Spectroscopy. Results of these studies are outlined and discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationNanotubes and Related Nanostructures - 2009
Pages55-60
Number of pages6
StatePublished - 2010
Event2009 MRS Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Nov 30 2009Dec 4 2009

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume1204
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Other

Other2009 MRS Fall Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period11/30/0912/4/09

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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