Synthesis of highly oriented carbon nanotube thin films by nickel functionalisation

Abstract

A novel method for fabricating thin films of oriented and densely packed metal functionalised carbon nanotubes (m-CNT) on silicon substrates is described. Positively charged metal ion from their salt solution was adsorbed on carboxylic acid funtionalised (f) CNT by electrostatic interaction. Subsequently, the aqueous dispersion of m-CNT was cast on silicon substrate forming m-CNT thin films after evaporation. Thin films of f-CNT and m-CNT were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy analysis. The mechanism of functionalisation and orientation of CNTs is discussed briefly. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.