Highly ordered carbon nanotube arrays with open ends grown in anodic alumina nanoholes

Abstract

Highly ordered multiwalled carbon nanotube arrays were fabricated by pyrolysis of acetylene within anodic alumina templates. Nanotubes are very uniform in diameter and open at both ends. High resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction analysis show that the carbon nanotubes are well graphitized. These standing and open carbon nanotubes are possible to offer a potential elegant technique for electron emitting devices, chemical functionalization and nanotube composites.

Keywords

carbon nanotube arrays / anodic alumina template / pyrolysis

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