Dendrimer-assisted low-temperature growth of carbon nanotubes by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Placidus B. Amama, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Oluwaseyi Ogebule, Alabama A&M University
Matthew R. Maschmann, Birck Nanotechnology Center, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Timothy D. Sands, Birck Nanotechnology Center, School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University
Timothy S. Fisher, Birck Nanotechnology Center, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University

Abstract

Using a shielded growth approach and N2-annealed, nearly monodispersed Fe2O3 nanoparticles synthesized by interdendritic stabilization of Fe3+ species within fourth-generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimers, carbon nanotubes and nanofibers were successfully grown at low substrate temperatures (200-400 degreesC) by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition.