Large-area synthesis of carbon nanofibers by low-power microwave plasma-assisted CVD

Communication: Novel antenna edge microwave plasma CVD (AE-MPCVD) is used for the first time to grow CNFs (carbon nanofibers). The synthesis of CNFs on large-area substrates with high growth reproducibility is reported at low microwave power input and with remote deposition. A Growth area ten times as large as the plasma size generated is achieved by AE-MPCVD. Because of its structural simplicity, AE-MPCVD systems can easily be scaled up by applying multi-antenna edge arrays without considering complex microwave geometry or cavity and the total growth area and quality of CNFs are thus expected to be greatly improved.