Growth of carbon nanotubes on cylindrical wires by thermal chemical vapor deposition

Carbon nanotube films have been grown on cylindrical wires using chemical v apor deposition (CVD) of acetylene in a flow reactor at atmospheric pressur e. It is shown here that Kanthal wires allow the controlled growth of carbo n nanotube films, provided that a liquid catalyst solution containing metal lic salts (Fe, Ni or Co nitrate) diluted in ethanol is deposited on the oxi dized surface of the wire. Other materials such as Ni, NiCr or Mo were foun d to be less suitable for the controlled deposition of carbon nanotubes. We also show how the morphology and the field emission of the obtained films is influenced by the catalyst and by the temperature. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence BY. All rights reserved.