Growth of decorated carbon nano-tubes

Decomposition of methane in a nitrogen atmosphere using bias-enhanced hot f ilament chemical vapour deposition results in the growth of nitrogenated ca rbon tubes. Different shapes were formed ranging from spherical aggregates to twisted nano-tubes. All these structures were grown direct onto pure Si wafer. Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy reveals the presence of tungsten carbide impurities at the interface. Graphitic sheets growing per pendicular to the tube axis typically cover the surface of each coiled tube . The observed morphology resembles a feather boa. From this an enhanced ch arge transfer in a composite is expected making the material interesting fo r high strength, lightweight applications. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.