Simultaneous generation and deposition of cobalt nanoparticles by flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spraying for catalytic growth of single- walled carbon nanotubes

Laterally oriented single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) from cobalt nanoparticles that were produced by flow-limited field-injection electrostatic spray (FFESS). The FFESS system allowed simultaneous generation and deposition of cobalt nanoparticles uniformly over a large area. The population and diameter of the nanoparticles could be controlled by the FFESS system, which in turn allowed for the control of the diameter and length of the SWCNTs. Chiral angle, and consequently chiral vector and diameter, were determined using nanoarea electron diffraction.