Investigating the Outskirts of Fe and Co Catalyst Particles in Alumina-Supported Catalytic CVD Carbon Nanotube Growth

Using thermal CVD, the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes exhibiting roots anchored directly onto alpha-alumina supports, rather than the catalyst particle, is reported. At such roots, the alignment of the graphitic planes with the support lattice fringes depends on the support crystal structure and orientation. Surface defects may alter the reactivity of the surface or control the anchoring of supported atoms or nanoparticles. We argue this surface defect is provided by the catalyst particle's edge interaction with the support, in other words its circumference. The development of oxide-based catalysts is attractive in that they potentially provide an appropriate solution to directly integrate the synthesis of carbon nanotubes and graphene into silicon-based technology.