Low-Cost Catalyst Ink for Simple Patterning and Growth of High-Quality Single- and Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Research into carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been a hot topic for almost 3 decades, and it is now that we are beginning to observe the impact of advanced applictions of this nanomaterial in areas such as electronics. Currently, in order to mass produce CNT devices, either large-scale synthesis, followed by numerous energy-intensive processing steps or photolithography processes, including several sputter-deposition steps, are required to pattern this material to fabricate functional devices. In the work reported here, through the utilization of a universal catalyst precursor (cyclopentadienyl iron dicarbonyl dimer) and the optimization of solution parameters, patterned high-quality vertically aligned arrays of single- and few-walled CNTs have been synthesized via various inexpensive, commercially scalable methods such as inkjet printing, stamp printing, spray painting, and even handwriting. The two-step process of precursor printing, followed immediately by CNT growth, results in CNTs with a Raman I D/I G ratio of 0.073, demonstrating very high-quality nanotubes. This process eliminates time-consuming and costly CNT post processing techniques or the deposition of numerous substrate barrier and catalyst layers to achieve device manufacturing. As a result, this method has the potential to provide a route for the large-scale synthesis of high-quality single- and few-walled CNTs that can be applied in industrial settings.

Carbon Nanotubes under Scrutiny: Their Toxicity and Utility in Mesothelioma Research

“…Chemical vapor deposition (with or without catalysts) represents the main synthetic technique, and accounts for more than 70% of the global production. Currently, efficient production and declined prices for CNT make these nanomaterials more available and affordable [6]. Multi-walled CNT dominate the market and their increasing applications concern battery additives and plastic parts [7,8].…”

Recent advances in carbon nanotube patterning technologies for device applications

“…In addition, recent research results have realized high-resolution patterning with a 5-50 nm thickness using nanoporous stamps (Figure 1F) (Kim et al, 2016b). As shown in Figures 1G, H, other technologies employing catalytic inks include inkjet or laserjet printing methods that can be used in industrial settings (Polsen et al, 2013;King et al, 2020).…”

Synthesis of Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) by PECVD using Ni catalyst printed by spark ablation

“…Alternatively, different processes have been developed to circumvent the complex and/or time-consuming catalyst patterning [11], yet, many efforts are still required regarding the optimization of the pattering parameters. For instance, micro-contact printing allows a simple one-step approach to pattern catalyst lines with high homogeneity [12], but the patterned stamps are obtained by lithography. Controllable patterning also has been achieved by dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) [13], in this case, the tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) is dipped in catalyst NPs suspended in a liquid that acts as ink.…”