Controlled etching of carbon nanotubes by iron-catalyzed steam gasification

A localized etching method based on catalytic steam gasification was developed to modify carbon nanotubes in a pre-determined manner. The etching, occurring only at the interface, created different etching patterns depending on the iron catalyst by means of an eco-friendly, low-cost process using water vapor. Both the surface roughness and the number of surface defects such as edge planes were significantly enhanced.