Multiwalled carbon nanotubes growth in anodic alumina nanoholes

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), standing perpendicularly to a substrate with an electrode, were fabricated by thermal catalytic decomposition of ethylene from Co particles electrochemically embedded at the bottom of anodic alumina nanoholes. The thermal durability of the alumina nanoholes for the CNTs growth process was achieved by using Nb as an underlying electrode. The CNTs were electrically connected to the electrode through the conductive paths, which were formed at the bottom of alumina nanoholes by Nb ion migration from the underlying electrode during anodization.