Vasenkov A.V., Kolobov V.V., Carnahan D.
CFD Research Corporation, US
Keywords: carbon nanotubes, catalytic exothermic reactions, chemical vapor deposition, computer chips, flat panel displays, inductive heating, low-temperature synthesis, multi-scale modeling, sensors
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) is a catalytically controlled synthesis requiring catalyst temperatures in excess of 700°C. The CVD synthesis is typically accompanied by significant substrate heating which is not necessary for the actual synthesis process and often damages the surface of temperature-sensitive material or causes device integration problems. Our approach is to develop technology for selective heating catalytic nanoparticles by (i) induction heating resulting from the radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields and/or (ii) heating from enhanced exothermic catalytic reactions. Based on experimental and computational data, we have designed a novel reactor for the production of CNTs/CNFs at temperature below 500°C. Vertical alignment of free-standing CNTs/CNFs in this reactor is achieved using inductively coupled plasma. This eliminates a requirement to have a conducting substrate. Also, our reactor is equipped with RF source for induction heating that operates at frequency that ranges from 10 MHz to 20 GHz depending on the particle size. Results for selective heating catalytic nanoparticles during the growth of carbon nanotubes are discussed.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2008: Materials, Fabrication, Particles, and Characterization – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 159 - 162
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Carbon Nano Structures & Devices
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8503-7