Structural control of vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes by radio-frequency plasmas

Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is the only technique for growing individual vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (VA-MWCNTs) at desired locations. Inferior graphitic order has been a long-standing issue that has prevented realistic applications of these VA-MWCNTs. Previously, these VA-MWCNTs were grown by a one-plasma approach. Here, we demonstrate the capability of controlling graphitic order and diameters of VA-MWCNTs by decoupling the functions of the conventional single plasma into a dual-plasma configuration. Our results indicate that the ionic flux and kinetic energy of the growth species are important for improving graphitic order of VA-MWCMTs

Preliminary sputter-erosion characterization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

This paper presents preliminary results of io sputter erosion characterization of carbon nanotubes. Relative erosion rates were compared by exposing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), polycrystalline diamond films, amorphous carbon, and boron nitride to the exhaust plume of a 1.5 kW Hall-effect thruster operating a krypton propellant. Two types of MWNTs were investigated: films composed of vertically aligned tubes and those horizontally laid on the substrate surface. Only diamond films and vertically aligned MWNTs survived erosion by 250eV krypton ions. The vertically aligned tubes were found to bundle at their rips into nanocones after ion erosion

A dual-RF-plasma approach for controlling the graphitic order and diameters of vertically-aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes

Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is a unique technique for growing vertically-aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (VA-MWNTs) at controllable tube densities. This technique is of considerable importance for low temperature growth of VA-MWNTs at desired locations. However, the graphitic order of these MWNTs is inferior to those grown by laser ablation, arc discharge, and thermal CVD techniques. Previously, these VA-MWNTs were grown by a one-plasma approach (DC, microwave etc), either for gas decomposition or substrate biasing. Here, we describe a dual-RF plasma enhanced CVD (dual-RF-PECVD) technique that offers unique capability for controlling the graphitic order and diameters of VA-MWNTs

Testing multiwall carbon nanotubes on ion erosion for advanced space propulsion

Are carbon nanotubes more resistant than diamonds against ion erosion? Here, we report an evaluation of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as the protective coating against plasma erosion in advanced space propulsion systems. We have compared polycrystalline diamond films with MWNTs, amorphous carbon (a-C) and boron nitride (BN) films. Two types of MWNTs were investigated including vertically aligned (VA) MWNTs, and those horizontally laid on the substrate surfaces. Only diamond films and VA-MWNTs survived erosion by 250 eV krypton ions of a flight-quality Hall-effect thruster. VA-MWNTs are found to bundle at their tips after ion erosion

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes as the sputter resist in space propulsive systems

Two-types of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (VA-MWNTs) are evaluated as the protective coatings against ion erosion in electric propulsion systems. A series of experiments have been conducted to understand the erosion rate and erosion mechanism of these VA-MWNTs. These experiments were carried out with Xe propellant at an ion current density of 5 mA/cm2. We found that the erosion rates of both types of VA-MWNTs were changing with time. Such a nonlinear erosion process is explained according to a possible erosion mechanism