Effect of acetylene concentration and thermal ramping rate on the growth of spin-capable carbon nanotube forests

Abstract

Spin-capable multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forests that can form webs, sheets, and yarns provide a promising means for advancing various technologies. It is necessary to understand the critical factors to grow spin-capable carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a repeatable fashion. Here we show how both the spinning capability and morphology of MWCNT forests are significantly changed by controlling the C2H2 concentration and ramp rate of temperature. The acetylene gas flow was varied in the range of 0.25–6.94% by volume. The MWCNTs grown at C2H2 concentrations between 1.47–3.37% are well-aligned and become spin-capable. The well-aligned forests have higher areal density and shorter distance between CNTs. The thermal ramp rate was also changed from 30 °C/min to 70 °C/min. A specific range of thermal ramp rate is also required to have the suitably sized nanoparticles with sufficient density resulting in higher CNT areal density for spinnable MWCNTs. A ramp rate of 50 °C/min forms suitable sized nanoparticles with sufficient density to produce CNT forests with a higher areal density and a shorter tube spacing.