Characteristics of multiwalled carbon nanotube nanobridges fabricated by poly(methylmethacrylate) suspended dispersion

Abstract

We report on the transport characteristics of individual multiwalled carbon nanotube/nanofibers (MWCNTs) grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The measurements were performed on individual MWCNT nanobridges suspended by sputtered Nb contacts. Temperature dependent measurements of conductance revealed that the conductance is dominated by a contribution from thermally activated carriers. High-field measurements show that the PECVD grown MWCNTs are able to carry high current densities (∼108 A/cm2) and after reaching a critical limit, break down in segments of nanotube shells while still being electrically stable. The high-density current transport and reliability make PECVD grown MWCNTs good candidates for applications as field emission cathodes and nanoelectronic interconnects.