Ink-jet printing of nanoparticle catalyst for site-selective carbon nanotube growth

Abstract

We report on site-selective growth of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) from a Co nanoparticle catalyst patterned by an ink-jet printing (IJP) technique. The dispersion of the Co nanoparticles was employed as “catalyst ink” for the IJP, and the catalyst pattern was subjected to chemical vapor deposition of acetylene gas. The patterned array of MWNTs was obtained with a dot size around 5–30 μm and showed field emission of electrons corresponding to the printed pattern. The present method offers a simple and powerful means to pattern carbon nanotubes at desired positions with any patterns.

Confined palladium colloids in mesoporous frameworks for carbon nanotube growth

“…3 clearly show excellent coverage of the surface of the thin film, there being no significant surface defects or cracks, after the CNT growth step, with a CNT forest present at the surface of the composite material after PECVD treatment. In comparison to our previous results, obtained using pure Pd nanoparticles to grow CNT forests in the absence of a mesoporous thin film [25][26][27][28], the CNTs grown herein show a smaller average diameter (20.6 ± 6.8 nm in [25] versus 10.7 ± 5.7 nm presently). This is a clear indication that the porous network of the titania film is not only able to efficiently adsorb the Pd nanoparticles, but that it also prevents their agglomeration at high temperature during the CNT growth process.…”

Carbon Nanomaterials: Applications in Physico-chemical Systemsand Biosystems

“…Scaffolding agent like collagen blends with SWNT to support smooth muscle cell growth 92 . The CNT can also be functionalised to release bioactive factors like glucose oxidase which can be attached to nanotubes and still retain the enzymatic activity 93 .…”

Carbon Nanotubes by Quantitative Solid‐State Conversion of an Organometallic Precursor

“…This method has been employed by Ago et al to create patterned regions of cobalt nanoparticles useful for the site-selective growth of MWCNTs. [17] Moreover, in view of the promising results recently obtained in the CVD of iron phthalocyanine, [18] direct control over the diameter of the tubes may be possible. A first step in this direction has already been made by the observation of narrower tubes with only three to five walls after pyrolysis of 1 in the presence of molybdenum hexacarbonyl, [Mo(-CO) 6 ].…”