Investigation of the effective parameters in the growth of carbon nanotubes by thermal chemical vapour deposition method

Abstract

Synthesis and growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from C2H2 by thermal chemical vapour deposition (TCVD) using a mixture of different gases were investigated. A thin film of nickel was coated as catalyst on silicon substrates by ion beam sputtering technique. Various parameters such as thickness of oxide layer and time, as well as reduction temperature were investigated in view of obtaining the best conditions for CNTs growth. C2H2 was very effective as carbon feedstock and NH3 pretreatments were crucial steps towards obtaining a high density of nucleation sites for CNTs growth by inhibiting amorphous carbon generation in the initial stage of the synthesis. The substrate oxide layer was analysed by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The prepared CNTs were confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and were further characterised using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.