An analytical growth model for vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes

Here we employ an in situ optical absorbance measurement technique to study the growth of vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (VA-SWCNTs) synthesized from alcohol. We present a model that describes the growth process of the array in terms of an initial growth rate and a reaction time constant. The growth rate of the array was found to decay exponentially from an initial maximum, resulting in an effective growth time of 15-20 minutes. We also report evidence for burning of the VA-SWCNTs, which can occur if there is an appreciable leak in the CVD chamber. This burning can be accounted for in the growth model, but is found to be suppressed when the leak rate is minimized. We also present an application to accurately measuring the burning temperature of the array using a small amount of SWCNTs. ∗ Corresponding author Tel/Fax: +81-3-5800-6983 Email address: [email protected] (Shigeo Maruyama). Preprint submitted to Carbon 10 August 2007