Abstract
The search for ways to synthesize single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) of a given electronic type in a controlled manner persists despite great challenges because the potential rewards are huge, in particular as a material beyond silicon. In this work we take a systematic look at three primary aspects of semiconducting enriched SWCNT grown by chemical vapor deposition. The role of catalyst choice, substrate, and feedstock mixture are investigated. In terms of semiconducting yield enhancement, little influence is found from either the binary catalyst or substrate choice. However, a very clear enrichment is found as one adds nominal amounts of methanol to an ethanol feedstock. Yields of up to 97% semiconducting SWCNT are obtained. These changes are attributed to two known etchant processes. In the first, metal SWCNT are preferentially etched. In the second, we reveal etchants also preferentially etch small diameter tubes because they are more reactive. The etchants are confirmed to have a dual role, to preferentially etch metallic tubes and narrow diameter tubes (both metallic and semiconducting) which results in a narrowing of the SWCNT diameter distribution.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 5964-5973 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Chemistry of Materials |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 17 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Sep 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Chemistry(all)
- Chemical Engineering(all)
- Materials Chemistry
Cite this
Confirming the Dual Role of Etchants during the Enrichment of Semiconducting Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes by Chemical Vapor Deposition. / Ibrahim, Imad; Kalbacova, Jana; Engemaier, Vivienne; Pang, Jinbo; Rodriguez, Raul D.; Grimm, Daniel; Gemming, Thomas; Zahn, Dietrich R.T.; Schmidt, Oliver G.; Eckert, Jürgen; Rümmeli, Mark H.
In: Chemistry of Materials, Vol. 27, No. 17, 08.09.2015, p. 5964-5973.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Confirming the Dual Role of Etchants during the Enrichment of Semiconducting Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes by Chemical Vapor Deposition
AU - Ibrahim, Imad
AU - Kalbacova, Jana
AU - Engemaier, Vivienne
AU - Pang, Jinbo
AU - Rodriguez, Raul D.
AU - Grimm, Daniel
AU - Gemming, Thomas
AU - Zahn, Dietrich R.T.
AU - Schmidt, Oliver G.
AU - Eckert, Jürgen
AU - Rümmeli, Mark H.
PY - 2015/9/8
Y1 - 2015/9/8
N2 - The search for ways to synthesize single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) of a given electronic type in a controlled manner persists despite great challenges because the potential rewards are huge, in particular as a material beyond silicon. In this work we take a systematic look at three primary aspects of semiconducting enriched SWCNT grown by chemical vapor deposition. The role of catalyst choice, substrate, and feedstock mixture are investigated. In terms of semiconducting yield enhancement, little influence is found from either the binary catalyst or substrate choice. However, a very clear enrichment is found as one adds nominal amounts of methanol to an ethanol feedstock. Yields of up to 97% semiconducting SWCNT are obtained. These changes are attributed to two known etchant processes. In the first, metal SWCNT are preferentially etched. In the second, we reveal etchants also preferentially etch small diameter tubes because they are more reactive. The etchants are confirmed to have a dual role, to preferentially etch metallic tubes and narrow diameter tubes (both metallic and semiconducting) which results in a narrowing of the SWCNT diameter distribution.
AB - The search for ways to synthesize single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) of a given electronic type in a controlled manner persists despite great challenges because the potential rewards are huge, in particular as a material beyond silicon. In this work we take a systematic look at three primary aspects of semiconducting enriched SWCNT grown by chemical vapor deposition. The role of catalyst choice, substrate, and feedstock mixture are investigated. In terms of semiconducting yield enhancement, little influence is found from either the binary catalyst or substrate choice. However, a very clear enrichment is found as one adds nominal amounts of methanol to an ethanol feedstock. Yields of up to 97% semiconducting SWCNT are obtained. These changes are attributed to two known etchant processes. In the first, metal SWCNT are preferentially etched. In the second, we reveal etchants also preferentially etch small diameter tubes because they are more reactive. The etchants are confirmed to have a dual role, to preferentially etch metallic tubes and narrow diameter tubes (both metallic and semiconducting) which results in a narrowing of the SWCNT diameter distribution.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84941095356&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1021/acs.chemmater.5b02037
DO - 10.1021/acs.chemmater.5b02037
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84941095356
VL - 27
SP - 5964
EP - 5973
JO - Chemistry of Materials
JF - Chemistry of Materials
SN - 0897-4756
IS - 17
ER -