Carbon nanotubes grown from predefined catalyst particles

Homogeneous carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of high quality are prepared by substrate based chemical vapour deposition using gas phase prepared iron nanoparticles. The preparation technique employed allows the production of individual and pure catalyst particles with a narrow particle size distribution. If deposited onto appropriate substrates these nanoparticles can act as individual nucleation sites for the growth of carbon nanotubes. As the nanoparticle deposition system allows for control of particle density, particle size and size distribution this approach provides simultaneous control over the density and the diameter distribution of the resulting CNTs. Furthermore the separation of catalyst preparation and CNT growth allows for the independent monitoring and optimization of either process.

	Fig.1:Large scale overview TEM micrograph of the as grown CNT network.		Fig.2:Fourier Raman spectrum (1064 nm) of high quality CNTs.