Synthesis of radially aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes on a SiO2/Si substrate by introducing sodium chloride

Abstract Radially aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized on a SiO2/Si substrate with thermal chemical vapor deposition by introducing sodium chloride (NaCl) onto the substrate surface. The growth of such SWCNTs was sensitive to the thickness of the SiO2 layer on the Si substrate and the speed of the reactive gas flow. Cristobalite crystals were found to be formed on the substrate after the SWCNT growth process and were significant for the growth of radially aligned SWCNTs. The SWCNTs were assumed to be directed by the cristobalite crystals along a certain crystal direction on the (1 0 1) crystal face.