S K Pal et al 2008 Nanotechnology 19 045610 doi:10.1088/0957-4484/19/04/045610
S K Pal1,6, S Talapatra2, S Kar3, L Ci3,4, R Vajtai5, T Borca-Tasciuc1, L S Schadler3 and P M Ajayan3,4,5
Show affiliationsThe growth kinetics of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on conductive substrates is investigated by synthesizing MWNTs at different growth temperatures and measuring ex situ the length of the nanotubes as a function of growth duration. A typical 'root growth' mechanism (saturation of MWNT lengths with increasing growth duration) was observed. The value of the activation energy (Ea≈136 ± 5 kJ mol−1) of the MWNT growth reaction is suggestive of carbon diffusion through the bulk of the iron catalyst particle versus diffusion on its surface. These findings will help in optimizing MWNT growth on conductive substrates for various applications.
81.16.-c Methods of nanofabrication and processing
66.30.H- Self-diffusion and ionic conduction in nonmetals
Condensed matter: electrical, magnetic and optical
Issue 4 (30 January 2008)
Received 28 September 2007, in final form 13 November 2007
Published 4 January 2008
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