Nanobarrier-terminated growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes on quartz surfaces

Abstract

Using carbon nanotubes as nanobarriers, the growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on a quartz surface can be terminated. First, carbon nanotube nanobarriers were grown on a quartz surface by the gas Áow-Á directed growth mode. Then, the SWNTs were grown on the quartz surface via the lattice-oriented growth mode, in which growth of SWNTs can be terminated by hitting the nanotube nanobarriers. Moreover, using the carbon nanotube nanobarrier as a marker, the mechanism of the growth of SWNTs on the quartz surface can be studied; a base-growth mechanism is indicated. Based on this termination process and the base-growth mechanism, SWNT arrays with controlled lengths can be grown on a quartz surface by Àxing the sites of both À catalysts and nanobarriers.

State of the Art of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Synthesis on Surfaces

“…Similarly, Rogers et al introduced a layer of amorphous SiO 2 onto quartz surface, and SWNTs terminated at the edge of the SiO 2 layer because of the surface relief . We have studied the lattice‐directed grown SWNTs on quartz substrates terminated with ultra‐long SWNTs as barriers (Figure c and d). Firstly, SWNT nano‐barriers were grown on a quartz substrate by the gas‐flow‐directed mode, and then lattice‐directed SWNTs were grown.…”

“…There are many post‐treatment methods to achieve SWNTs with uniform lengths, such as mechanical force or chemical reaction . The other method is based on bottom‐up strategy, which means that SWNTs with a certain length are selectively grown . However, the top‐down approaches often introduce some impurities, defects and even functional groups on the surface of SWNTs, which do great damage to the original properties of SWNTs.…”

“…c, d) Schematic illustration of nano‐barriers‐terminated growth of SWNTs on quartz substrate and typical SEM images. Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2009, Springer.…”

Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition

“…One typical nano-barrier segment was imaged by AFM shown in Figure 14 (c). The same diameter effect has been observed by Feng et al [78]. Since the nano-barriers also prevented the migration of the catalyst particles from the side of the catalyst band, clear pathways were created on the other side of the nano-barrier without the additional SWCNT growth.…”

Aligned, Ultralong Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes: From Synthesis, Sorting, to Electronic Devices

“…f) Using carbon nanotubes as barriers; the growth of SWNTs via lattice‐oriented mode on quartz is expected to be terminated, providing a simple way to distinguish the base and tip growth modes. Reproduced with permission from 60. Copyright 2009, Nano Research.…”