Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays Aligned carbon nanotube arrays are synthesized in a hot filament plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (HF-PECVD) system. A variety of substrates (metal, glass, silicon, etc) are first coated with nickel nanoparticles, then introduced to the CVD chamber. The method of nickel nanoparticle deposition defines the nanotube site density. Standard aligned carbon nanotube arrays are produced on a nickel-sputtering-coated substrate, whereas low site-density carbon nanotube arrays are produced on a nickel-electric-chemical-coated substrate. The carbon nanotubes grow vertically from the substrate surface, and their mutual alignment is not only correlated to nanotube diameter and nanotube length, but also related to the substrate surface smoothness and the substrate thickness. Carbon nanotube diameter mainly depends on the nickel particle size. In structure, aligned carbon nanotubes have multilayer graphitic sidewalls and hollow core ( Fig. 1). The graphitic sidewalls contain bamboo structures (Fig. 2). All nanotube tips are capped with a single nickel nanoparticle, a result of a tip-growth mechanism of aligned carbon nanotubes (Fig. 3). NanoLab offers a wide variety of aligned carbon nanotube arrays. We can tailor a carbon nanotube array to your specifications, including complex patterning on many types of substrates using microscale and nanoscale lithography. To enhance nanotube growth, a chromium buffer layer is standard for glass and copper, and strongly recommended for all substrate materials. Please allow three week delivery for standard orders. phone (617) 581-6747     fax(617) 581 6749     email a Array Specialist to ask questions. Standard Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays: images † View substrate materials and/or place an order -- HTML † Data Sheets for Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays -- PDF • Nanotube length: Specify 1-20 microns, and allow a tolerance of ± 10% • Nanotube diameter: Specify between 30 & 150 nm, and allow a tolerance of ± 30% • CNT site density: 1~2x109nanotubes/cm2 Low Site Density Aligned CNT Arrays: images † View substrate materials and/or place an order -- HTML • Nanotube length: 1-5 microns • Nanotube diameter: 50-150 nm • Nanotube site density: 105~107 nanotubes/cm2 Custom Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays: • Other sizes, up to 2 inches diameter • Different substrate materials • Complex patterns and designs. images The page was updated on 02/12/08