Controlled transformation of carbon coating on silicon nanochains into nanotubes of carbon by Joule heating

A method of carbon coating of silicon nanochains is developed for the controlled transformation of silicon nanochains into nanotubes of carbon: the surface of silicon nanochains is coated with hexadecanoic acid by annealing after plasma cleaning. Individual silicon nanochains are heated by applying an electric current using a micro-manipulator for the transformation. The transformation is observed in situ by means of transmission electron microscopy.     

Remote Joule heating by a carbon nanotube

Minimizing Joule heating remains an important goal in the design of electronic devices. The prevailing model of Joule heating relies on a simple semiclassical picture in which electrons collide with the atoms of a conductor, generating heat locally and only in regions of non-zero current density, and this model has been supported by most experiments. Recently, however, it has been predicted that electric currents in graphene and carbon nanotubes can couple to the vibrational modes of a neighbouring material, heating it remotely. Here, we use in situ electron thermal microscopy to detect the remote Joule heating of a silicon nitride substrate by a single multiwalled carbon nanotube. At least 84% of the electrical power supplied to the nanotube is dissipated directly into the substrate, rather than in the nanotube itself. Although it has different physical origins, this phenomenon is reminiscent of induction heating or microwave dielectric heating. Such an ability to dissipate waste energy remotely could lead to improved thermal management in electronic devices.     

Tunnelling through diamond-like carbon nanofilms deposited by electron-beam-induced deposition

The tunnelling properties in metal/diamond-like carbon (DLC)/semiconductor junctions and structural characteristics of thin DLC films produced using different electron beam conditions were studied. We show that under the same electron dose conditions, thicker DLC films were obtained using lower accelerating voltages (2 kV) than when using higher accelerating voltage (20 kV). However, under the settings used the thicker films showed worse insulating performance than the thinner films. We attribute this effect to the variation of tunnelling barrier height in DLC deposited using different accelerating voltages. DLC films with a tunnelling barrier height of up to 3.12 eV were obtained using a 20 kV electron-beam, while only 0.73 eV was achieved for 2 kV DLC films. The X-ray photoemission spectra of the C 1s core level in these films reveal components at 284.4 ± 0.1 eV and 285 ± 0.1 eV, which were identified as the sp² and sp³ hybrid forms of carbon. The sp³/sp² concentration ratio increased with increasing electron beam accelerating voltage. We show how this effect is responsible for the barrier height variation.     

Large flexibility of high aspect ratio carbon nanostructures fabricated by electron-beam-induced deposition

The mechanical properties of free-standing electron beam deposited amorphous carbon structures have been studied using atomic force microscopy. The fabricated carbon blades are found to be extraordinarily flexible, capable of undergoing vertical deflection up to ～ 75% of their total length without inelastic deformation. The elastic bending modulus of these structures was calculated to be 28 ± 10 GPa.     

Three-dimensional fabrication on GaAs surfaces using electron-beam-induced carbon deposition followed by wet chemical etching

We propose a method for fabricating three-dimensional structures on GaAs surfaces using electron beam (EB) irradiation followed by wet chemical etching. An etch-resistant hydrocarbon layer forms on the GaAs surface with the EB irradiation. Structures can be fabricated after etching using the hydrocarbon layer to block the etching. The height dependence on the irradiation and etching conditions was investigated as a means of controlling the height of the structures. A higher structure was fabricated at higher doses. The etching selectivity changed with the concentration of the etchant. A three-dimensional structure was fabricated based on these results, demonstrating the possible use of this method as a novel three-dimensional fabrication method for GaAs surfaces.     

改进化学气相沉积法在炭纤维表面生长碳纳米管(英文)

采用一种改进的化学气相沉积法在炭纤维表面制备碳纳米管。为了提高炭纤维表面的润湿性能,炭纤维在浸渍之前先在CVD设备中在真空下973 K的高温处理,然后在硝酸和浓硫酸体积比为3∶1的混合酸中酸处理30 min。而改进的化学气相沉积法关键在于让催化剂的还原步骤和碳纳米管的生长步骤同时进行。这样通过减小过渡金属元素与炭纤维之间的接触时间从而降低了它们之间的相互扩散,在确保了炭纤维本身的力学性能下降程度明显小于用普通化学气相法制备的情况下生长出长且茂密的碳纳米管阵列。另外,经过对工艺参数的优化发现当用乙醇作溶剂,Fe(NO3)3.9H2O溶度为100 mmol/L,氢气和碳源气体比值为4/1,而生长时间为30 min时得到最好的碳纳米管阵列。     

Fabrication and characterization of nanostructures on insulator substrates by electron-beam-induced deposition

Abstract

The fabrication, characterization, and decoration with metallic nanoparticles of nanostructures such as nanowhiskers, nanodendrites, and fractal-like nanotrees on insulator substrates by electron-beam-induced deposition (EBID) are reviewed. Nanostructures with different morphologies of whiskers, dendrites, or trees are fabricated on insulator (Al₂O₃ or SiO₂) substrates by EBID in transmission electron microscopes by controlling the irradiation conditions such as the electron beam intensity. The growth of the nanostructure is related to the accumulation of charges on the surface of a substrate during electron-beam irradiation. A high concentration of the target metallic element and nanocrystal grains of the element are contained in the fabricated nanostructures. The process of growth of the nanostructures is explained qualitatively on the basis of mechanisms in which the formation of the nanostructures is considered to be related to the nanoscaled unevenness of the charge distribution on the surface of the substrate, the movement of the charges to the convex surface of the substrate, and the accumulation of charges at the tip of the grown nanostructure. Novel composite structures of Pt nanoparticle/tungsten (W) nanodendrite or Au nanoparticle/W nanodendrite are fabricated by the decoration of W nanodendrites with metallic elements. Because they have superior features, such as a large specific surface area, a freestanding structure on substrates, a typical size of several nanometers of the tip or the branch, and high purity, the nanostructures may have applications in technologies such as catalysts, sensors, and electron emitters. However, there are still some subjects that should be further studied before their application.     

Fabrication and characterization of nanostructures on insulator substrates by electron-beam-induced deposition

The fabrication, characterization, and decoration with metallic nanoparticles of nanostructures such as nanowhiskers, nanodendrites, and fractal-like nanotrees on insulator substrates by electron-beam-induced deposition (EBID) are reviewed. Nanostructures with different morphologies of whiskers, dendrites, or trees are fabricated on insulator (Al₂O₃ or SiO₂) substrates by EBID in transmission electron microscopes by controlling the irradiation conditions such as the electron beam intensity. The growth of the nanostructure is related to the accumulation of charges on the surface of a substrate during electron-beam irradiation. A high concentration of the target metallic element and nanocrystal grains of the element are contained in the fabricated nanostructures. The process of growth of the nanostructures is explained qualitatively on the basis of mechanisms in which the formation of the nanostructures is considered to be related to the nanoscaled unevenness of the charge distribution on the surface of the substrate, the movement of the charges to the convex surface of the substrate, and the accumulation of charges at the tip of the grown nanostructure. Novel composite structures of Pt nanoparticle/tungsten (W) nanodendrite or Au nanoparticle/W nanodendrite are fabricated by the decoration of W nanodendrites with metallic elements. Because they have superior features, such as a large specific surface area, a freestanding structure on substrates, a typical size of several nanometers of the tip or the branch, and high purity, the nanostructures may have applications in technologies such as catalysts, sensors, and electron emitters. However, there are still some subjects that should be further studied before their application.     

Supercritical carbon dioxide-assisted deposition of tin oxide on carbon nanotubes

This work demonstrates a versatile and effective method for uniform deposition of SnO₂ on the surfaces of CNTs. The obtained SnO₂–CNT nanohybrids were morphologically and structurally characterized by different techniques. Detailed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation revealed that SnO₂ nanoparticles may cover the tube surfaces or be encapsulated into the tube channels by manipulating experimental conditions. The loading density of SnO₂ on CNTs is tunable by varying the initial weight ratio of the precursor to CNTs. This simple and clean method offers a flexible avenue for further exploring the properties and applications of the as-synthesized CNT composites.     

Transmission electron microscopy study of individual carbon nanotube breakdown caused by Joule heating in air

We present repeated structural and electrical measurements on individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes, alternating between electrical measurements under ambient conditions and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The multiwalled carbon nanotubes made by chemical vapor deposition were manipulated onto cantilever electrodes extending from a specially designed microfabricated chip. Repeated TEM investigations were then made of the progressive destruction of the nanotube structure induced by Joule heating in air. The electrical measurements indicate that the studied nanotubes behave as diffusive conductors with remarkably predictable electrical properties despite extensive structural damage.     

热化学气相沉积法在硅纳米丝上合成碳纳米管

利用热化学气相沉积法在负载不同厚度催化剂的硅纳米丝(SiNW)表面生长碳纳米管(CNTs),探讨了生长条件对所合成SiNW-CNT的结构和场发射特性的影响.这种类似树状的三维结构具有较高碳纳米管表面密度及降低的电场筛除效应等潜在优势.使用拉曼光谱( Raman)、电子显微镜(SEM)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、能量扩散分光仪(EDS)分析了碳纳米管的结构性质,并在高真空下施加电场测得碳纳米管的场发射特性.结果表明:随硅纳米丝上负载催化剂镍膜厚度的变化,所合成碳纳米管的表面特性、结晶结构及功函数改变,导致电子发射难易程度的改变,进一步影响碳纳米管的场发射特性.     

Structure of multiwalled carbon nanotubes grown by chemical vapor deposition

Carbon nanotubes have been grown by chemical vapor deposition at 650°C in an argon atmosphere using a butane-propane mixture and a nickel catalyst and have been characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that the multiwalled nanotubes have an imperfect graphite-like structure with a conical supramolecular configuration. A phenomenological technique is proposed for statistical analysis of the state of carbon nanotubes in measurements of the intensity of the defect zone D in their Raman spectra.     

化学气相沉积法制备多壁碳纳米管

以带程序升温装置的管式电阻炉为实验装置,采用化学气相沉积法,在一定的工艺条件下裂解二茂铁与双鸭山精煤的混合物制备出多壁碳纳米管.采用透射电镜、Raman光谱以及X射线衍射技术对碳纳米管产物进行表征,同时研究了碳纳米管的生长机理.     

Bioactive ceramic coatings containing carbon nanotubes on metallic substrates by electrophoretic deposition

A range of potentially bioactive ceramic coatings, based on combinations of either hydroxyapatite (HA) or titanium oxide nanoparticles with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have been deposited on metallic substrates, using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Sol–gel derived, ultrafine HA powders (10–70 nm) were dispersed in multi-wall nanotube-containing ethanol suspensions maintained at pH = ∼3.5 and successfully coated onto Ti alloy wires at 20 V for 1–3 min For TiO₂/CNT coatings, commercially available titania nanopowders and surface-treated CNTs in aqueous suspensions were co-deposited on stainless steel planar substrates. A field strength of 20 V/cm and deposition time of 4 min were used working at pH = 5. Although the co-deposition mechanism was not investigated in detail, the evidence suggests that co-deposition occurs due to the opposite signs of the surface charges (zeta potentials) of the particles, at the working pH. Electrostatic attraction between CNTs and TiO₂ particles leads to the creation of composite particles in suspension, consisting of TiO₂ particles homogenously attached onto the surface of individual CNTs. Under the applied electric field, these net negatively charged “composite TiO₂/CNT” elements migrate to and deposit on the anode (working electrode). The process of EPD at constant voltage conditions was optimised in both systems to achieve homogeneous and reasonably adhered deposits of varying thicknesses on the metallic substrates_.     

Growth of carbon nanotubes on cobalt catalyst film using electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapour deposition without thermal heating

This paper demonstrates that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be synthesized on a cobalt coated silicon substrate using electron cyclotron chemical vapour deposition and without intentionally heating the substrate. With the mixed gases of C(3)H(8)/N(2), CNTs with a multi-walled structure and a diameter up to 70?nm have been observed. Results show that the diameter of the CNTs increases with the thickness of the cobalt catalyst film and the amount of nitrogen incorporated in the CNT films considerably influences the structures of the CNTs. Vertically aligned CNTs can be fabricated with a microwave power as low as 300?W and the flow rate ratio of C(3)H(8)/N(2) = 20/20?sccm. The CNTs exhibit a turn-on field of 0.2?V?μm(-1) determined at the emission current density of 10?μA?cm(-2).     

Joule heating in electromagnetic casting

According to the experimental analysis of temperature distribution in an Al ingot of electromagnetic casting, the induction thermal profile in the horizontal and vertical directions is studied. The influence of inductor currents on the thermal distribution of the ingot is also analyzed. The relation between the average temperature in the ingot cross-section and the metal height is studied. Finally, the gross Joule heating is calculated from the experimental and regression curve.     

Hot-wire chemical vapor deposition of carbon nanotubes

Hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) has been employed for the continuous gas-phase generation of both carbon multi-wall and single-wall nanotube (MWNT and SWNT) materials. Graphitic MWNTs were produced at a very high density at a synthesis temperature of 600 °C. SWNTs were deposited at a much lower density on a glass substrate held at 450 °C. SWNTs are typically observed in large bundles that are stabilized by tube–tube van der Waals’ interactions. However, transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed only the presence of isolated SWNTs in these HWCVD-generated materials.     

Joule heating in electromagnetic casting

According to the experimental analysis oftemperature distribution in an Al ingot ofelectromagneticcasting, the induction thermal profile in the horizontal and vertical directions is studied. The influence ofinductor currents on the thermal distribution ofthe ingot is also analyzed. The relation between the average temperature in the ingot cross-section and the metal height is studied. Finally, the gross Joule heating is calculated from the experimental and regression curve.     

化学气相沉积法快速生长定向纳米碳管

利用化学气相沉积法，采用二甲苯为碳源，二茂铁为催化剂，氮气作保护气，在石英基底上催化裂解生长定向纳米碳管，试验结果表明：在775℃，120min的条件下，可生长出长达200μm厚的定向纳米碳管薄膜；在775℃，反应时间为60min～120min时，纳米碳管的长度为100μm～200μm，而纳米碳管的直径变化不明显。而无氢气，较高的反应温度和连续的催化剂供给对快速生长定向纳米碳管有重要的影响。