Synthesis and structure of films consisting of carbon nanotubes oriented normally to the substrate

Abstract

Films consisting of oriented carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are synthesized by thermal decomposition of a carboniferous compound + ferrocene mixture and studied by scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that the thickness and structure of the films depend on the synthesis conditions, specifically, on the way the reaction mixture is introduced. Multiple injection of the reaction mixture causes growth of multilayer CNT films, the number of layers in which equals the number of injections. The basic possibility of CNT continuous growth normally to the substrate surface is demonstrated. A mechanism behind the layered structure of the films consisting of oriented CNTs is suggested.