Deposition of various metals on Vertically-Aligned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Evaporation of different metals (Au, Ti, Al and Pd) onto Vertically-Aligned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (VASWNT) has been studied. Observations through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed a clear metal-dependence of the deposition layer structure on top of the VASWNT, reflecting the variation of wettability and cohesive energy of each metal. These characteristics also influence the structures of the metal penetrated through the top surface into VASWNT film, where metal forms particles inside VASWNT film except for Ti. A simple annealing technique to remove metals penetrated in the SMNT films is demonstrated. Some peculiar morphologies found during the processes are also presented.