Characterization of bamboo-like CNTs prepared using sol–gel catalyst

Abstract

The sol–gel method was often used to grow nano-particles with the aid of iron catalyst, which was spread uniformly in advance over the silicon substrate by the spin coating technique. The well-aligned bamboo-like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown on the Si wafer surface by microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition (MPCVD) method with the composition-controlled gaseous mixture of CH 4, H 2, and N 2. HRTEM images of CNTs exhibit bamboo-like structure. XPS techniques were employed to characterize as-grown bamboo-like CNTs. The results show that the base-growth mode of CNTs predominates in the sol–gel catalyst and that nitrogen can enhance the formation of bamboo-like CNTs.