Crinkling Ultralong Carbon Nanotubes into Serpentines by a Controlled Landing Process

Serpentine carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are successfully synthesized by controlling the landing of ultralong CNTs on a quartz surface. Several experimental parameters are investigated and the growth mechanism is further clarified (see figure). It is demonstrated that the high on/off ratio of single CNTs is maintained when serpentine CNTs are used to produce ultrahigh-current CNT-based devices.