Chemical vapor deposition synthesis of self-aligned carbon nanotube arrays

A procedure for producing arrays of self-aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using standard chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is reported. Using UV photolithography, silicon substrates are patterned with a thin layer of thermally evaporated iron as a CNT catalyst. The CVD synthesis was carried out over a small temperature range (700°C–800°C) using acetylene and methane gasses, producing aligned CNT towers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis shows a relationship between CNT tower height and synthesis time. Additionally, results show that impurity particles dramatically effect CNT tower growth. These results indicate that aligned CNTs can be produced in a desired pattern with height control.