Carbon dioxide-assisted fabrication of self-organized tubular carbon micropatterns on silicon substrates

Hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) tubular micropatterns made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are fabricated on silicon substrates by catalytic decomposition of a ferrocene-cyclohexane mixture at 850 degrees C in the presence Of CO2 it is found that the catalyst concentration, temperature and the presence Of CO2 are key factors that govern the assembly and growth of CNTs The self-assembled patterns of catalysts in the initial stage are responsible for the formation of CNT patterns in which a multi-level self-assembly is involved The potential use of the tubular CNT micropatterns as electrode in the electroanalysis of biomolecules (dopamine) has been demonstrated (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved