CVD growth of high density SWNTs network on surface using iron phosphide nanorods as catalyst precursor

In this Letter, we demonstrated that FeP nanorods synthesized by thermal decomposition of iron carbonyl under the protection of surfactants can be used as catalyst for SWNTs growth. The domains structure of FeP nanorods or uniform dispersion of the nanorods by self-assembly on surface can be controlled by chemical modification of the surface and concentration of the nanorods solution. Domain structure of SWNTs network or extremely high density SWNTs film with uniform diameter can be generated using carbon monoxide chemical vapor deposition (CO-CVD). The uniform diameter of the SWNTs is believed to be due to the in situ formation of uniform Fe nanoparticles from the decomposition of FeP nanorods at high temperature. The use of nanorods or nanowires as catalyst precursor for SWNTs growth could open a new method to generate extremely high density SWNTs with uniform diameter for SWNTs-based nanoelectronics device applications.