Optimizing reaction condition for synthesizing spinnable carbon nanotube arrays by chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Compared with the ordinary vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) arrays, the carbon nanotubes in spinnable VACNT arrays have better alignment, higher density, and narrower diameter distribution. The synthesis of spinnable VACNT arrays is sensitive to the reaction condition and the repeatable prepared of spinnable VACNT arrays still need improvement. In this paper, spinnable VACNT arrays were grown by chemical vapor deposition from C2H2/Ar using Fe coated on Si wafers as a catalyst. With the aim of improving the yield and reproducibility of spinnable VACNT arrays, the reaction conditions were systematically investigated. The growth kinetics of VACNT arrays was also investigated. The rate of growth of VACNT arrays can reach 465 μm/min at the initial growth stage and the activation energy of VACNT array growth is determined to be 112.2 kJ/mol. Meanwhile, a collective growth model for the evolution of spinnable VACNT arrays is also proposed.