Publication Type
Journal
Journal Name
Carbon
Publication Date
Page Numbers
1857 to 1863
Volume
43
Issue
9
Abstract
The influence of catalyst alloy composition on the growth of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers was studied using Cu-Ni thin
films. Metals were co-sputtered onto a substrate to form a thin film alloy with a wide compositional gradient, as determined by
Auger analysis. Carbon nanofibers were then grown from the gradient catalyst film by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.
The alloy composition produced substantial differences in the resulting nanofibers, which varied from branched structures at
81%Ni-19%Cu to high aspect ratio nanocones at 80%Cu-20%Ni. Electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques also revealed
segregation of the initial alloy catalyst particles at certain concentrations.
