Electric-field-directed growth of carbon nanotubes in two dimensions

Abstract

The interplay between mechanical and electronic properties in carbon nanotubes leads to interesting characteristics in devices such as a nanotube cross structure. The fabrication of nanotube devices has often been based on random growth or deposition of nanotubes and subsequently searching for those in desired locations with proper orientations. Obviously we want to be able to make such devices controllably. We present data on extending the technique of one-dimensional alignment of nanotubes using electric field to two dimensions in order to make more complicated structures such as nanotube crosses. It appears that nanotubes assemble in the regions of the most intense electric field. Also, they tend to follow the local field lines, even in nonuniform fields. Furthermore, they tend to grow away from negative toward positive polarities. © 2004 American Vacuum Society.