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Comparative study of the catalytic growth of patterned carbon nanotube films

Three different catalysts (Fe, Ni, Co nitrates dissolved in ethanol) were patterned on a SiO2/Si substrate and multi-wall carbon nanotubes were grown by catalytic decomposition of acetylene. We compare the growth of the carbon nanostructures in the temperature range between 580C and 1000C. With our experimental set-up the catalyst solutions of cobalt and nickel were found to be less efficient than the one of iron. An optimal production of multi-wall nanotubes was observed at temperatures between 650C and 720C with the iron solution as catalyst. We found a tendency towards thicker structures with higher temperatures. Finally, we suggest a mechanism for the growth of these carbon structures.