Catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes and their patterning based on ink-jet and lithographic techniques

We report the catalytic synthesis of carbon nanotubes and two approaches to the catalyst patterning. Aligned multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) arrays were synthesized in the presence of Co nanoparticles that were prepared by a reverse micelle method. By taking advantage of the fact that the Co nanoparticles are dispersible in organic solvent, an ink-jet technique has been applied to the Co nanoparticle dispersion for MWNT patterning. Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were synthesized by using Fe and Mo supported catalysts and the catalyst preparation process was combined with lithographic techniques, leading to formation of nanotubes bridging or crossing the catalyst patterns. These catalyst-patterning techniques, together with recent development of nanotube synthetic methods, may find applications in electronic and electrochemical applications, such as field-emission displays, nanodevices, and fuel cells.