GNR Production through Hydrogen Plasma Assisted CNT Unzipping

Abstract

In this work, we report a novel high yield hydrogen assisted unzipping method of multi-wall Carbon nanotubes. Vertical MWNTs are grown on a Silicon substrate at low temperature by a PE-CVD method using Methane or Acetylene gas. Vertically aligned CNTs are horizontally placed on another Silicon substrate through a combination of SF6 plasma exposure and mechanical rubbing. Horizontally placed CNTs are exposed to hydrogen plasma at 300-500ºC for several minutes. Plasma exposure results in longitudinal unzipping of Carbon nanotubes which, in turn, leads to graphene nano-sheets and Graphene nano-ribbon production in thick and thin diameter nano-tubes, respectively.