Size effect of nanosized thin-film iron dot on growth of multiwall carbon nanotubes

Hot-filament chemical vapor deposition, using a mixture of methane and hydrogen, is used to grow multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on 54-nm-thick iron dots with diameters of 970, 770, 340, and 140 nm. The size effect of the nanosized thin-film iron dot is presented on the MWNT growth. More MWNTs grow on larger iron dots. However, the diameters of the MWNTs that grow on iron dots with average diameters of similar to120 nm are independent of the sizes of the iron dots. An approach to growing MWNTs on the nanosized thin-film iron dots is described. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.