Two- and three-dimensional alignment and patterning of carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Alignment or patterning of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is particularly important for fabricating functional devices such as field emitters, nanophotonics, nanoelectronics, and ultrahydrophobic materials. This work briefly reviews recent progress on the synthesis of two-dimensional CNT patterns, and then particularly concentrates on describing the pillar-shaped fabrication and very interesting patterns of three-dimensionally aligned CNTs formed by pyrolysis of iron, (II) phthalocyanine. The possible formation mechanism of the structures is discussed.