Room-temperature synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes by an electrochemical process

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were produced by an electrochemical route by applying a small negative potential to a solution of acetic acid over a Au surface supporting Ni nanocatalysts. Ni nanocatalysts were grown electrochemically on Au surface and their particle sizes were controlled by deposition time. Raman spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy observations of the catalyst and as-deposited samples and revealed that the catalyst structure strongly affects the SWCNT diameter distribution. The deposited carbon structure depended on the catalyst particle size and structure. Raman spectra confirmed the existence of selectively grown semiconducting SWCNTs with very narrow diameter distribution.