Nanoengineered Catalyst Particles as a Key for Tailor-Made Carbon Nanotubes

Independent control of density and diameter of carbon nanotubes (CNT) is achieved by catalytic growth from iron nanoparticles pre-defined by inert gas condensation. This two-stage process offers the opportunity to investigate the particles prior to the CNT growth, thereby providing deeper insight into the growth mechanisms. The intimate correlation between particle and CNT diameters at particle densities, where interparticle coalescence is unavoidable, points to the nucleation of CNT setting in prior to this coalescence process.