Growth interruption studies on vertically aligned 2-3 wall carbon nanotubes by water assisted chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Highly aligned, 2-3 wall carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays were used to examine the kinetics of CNT growth. A growth interruption method was used to determine the in situ growth rate. The growth interruption method with a water vapor treatment or acetylene treatment during the interruption enabled the production of CNT stacks with different morphologies. The catalytic activity was also monitored using this method. The lifetime of the catalyst was predicted and verified using the catalyst decay model. High temperature metal oxidation behavior using parabolic curve fitting is assigned to the decay process. Details of the analysis are presented.