Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes array offers unique
properties
for various applications. Detaching them from the growth substrate,
while preserving their vertical structure, is essential. Quartz, a
cost-effective alternative to silicon wafers and metal-based substrates,
can serve as both a reaction chamber and a growth substrate. However,
the strong adhesive interaction with the quartz substrate remains
an obstacle for further applications. Herein, we presented a simple
and well-controlled exfoliation strategy assisted by the introduction
of heteroatoms at root ends of a carbon nanotubes array. This strategy
forms lower surface polarity of the carbon fragment to significantly
reduce adhesion to the quartz substrate, which contributes to the
effortless exfoliation. Furthermore, this scalable approach enables
potential mass production on recyclable quartz substrates, enhancing
the cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This work can establish a solid
foundation for cost-competitive carbon nanotube-based technologies,
offering a promising avenue for their widespread applications.