Growth of aligned millimeter-long carbon nanotube by chemical vapor deposition

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of millimeters in length have been grown by an atmospherical pressure thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The experimental parameters controlling the growth have been systematically studied. Growth mechanism is investigated by TEM and a pulsed growth technique. Growth kinetics is revealed by studying time dependence of CNT length. We discuss that our high CNT yield is achieved by a combination of intermediate growth rate and long catalyst lifetime. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.