The Growth Mode of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanofibers

Very dense and vertically aligned carbon nanofibers were synthesized using a CVD at the temperature of 350 degrees C. A high density of catalytic particles, which are necessary for the growth of vertically aligned nanofibers, were prepared by direct current sputtering method. In our experiment, the sphere-shaped copper nanoparticles were deposited on silicon substrate, and then these nanoparticles catalyzed the growth of carbon fibers using acetylene as carbon source in hydrogen atmosphere. The growth of vertically aligned nanofibers showed that each copper catalyst particle grow two linear carbon nanofibers, along the vertical direction respectively.