Graphitized Wavy Traces of Iron Particles Observed in Amorphous Carbon Nano-pillars

Abstract

We show evidence of solid-phase nanotube growth where traces of iron nano-particles were graphitized in an amorphous carbon nano-pillar fabricated by electron beam induced chemical vapor deposition (EB-CVD). The random walk of iron particles in the carbon nano-pillar caused continuous growth of wavy graphite tubes behind the iron particles as they moved during vacuum annealing at 800°C for 30 min. The graphite sheet in this solid-phase graphitization seemed to be produced at the tail of the iron nanoparticles, and some of the graphite tubes were multi-wall ones containing bamboo-joint-like cap sheets.