Growing Carbon Nanotubes from Both Sides of Graphene

The design and synthesis of hybrid structures between graphene and carbon nanotubes is an intriguing topic in the field of carbon nanomaterials. Here the synthesis of vertically aligned CNT carpets underneath graphene and from both sides of graphene is described with continuous ordering over a large area. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopic characterizations show that CNT carpets grow underneath graphene through a base-growth mechanism, and grow on top of graphene through a tip-growth mechanism. Good electrical contact is observed from the top CNT carpets, through the graphene layer, to the bottom CNT carpets. This sandwich-like CNT/graphene/CNT hybrid structure could provide an approach to design and fabricate multilayered graphene/CNTs materials, as well as potential applications in the fields of nanomanufacturing and energy storage.