Low temperature growth of ultra-high mass density carbon nanotube forests on conductive supports

We grow ultra-high mass density carbon nanotube forests at 450 degrees C on Ti-coated Cu supports using Co-Mo co-catalyst. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows Mo strongly interacts with Ti and Co, suppressing both aggregation and lifting off of Co particles and, thus, promoting the root growth mechanism. The forests average a height of 0.38 mu m and a mass density of 1.6 g cm(-3). This mass density is the highest reported so far, even at higher temperatures or on insulators. The forests and Cu supports show ohmic conductivity (lowest resistance similar to 22 k Omega), suggesting Co-Mo is useful for applications requiring forest growth on conductors. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.