Growing carbon nanotubes on patterned submicron-size SiO2 spheres Original Research Article

Growing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) perpendicularly to the surface of submicron-size SiO2 spheres by pyrolyzing iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) is reported for the first time in this paper. The large curvature isolates the nanotubes and forms unique structures. The density, lengths and morphology of CNTs on SiO2 spheres can be controlled by varying the experimental conditions. A method of growing CNTs on patterned SiO2 spheres on conducting surface by photolithography is further developed based on the selective growth of CNTs. This may offer an effective way to control the density of patterned, aligned CNTs on conducting substrates for various applications, particularly for field emission.