Study 1 (Campbell): Creation of Carbon-Nanotubes via Thermal CVD Process

We successfully produced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a quartz chamber and thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method. The main goal of this study was to grow CNTs in a uniformly aligned array on a silicon wafer coated with a thin layer of a metal catalyst by controlling the flow rates of acetylene (source for carbon molecules), hydrogen, and argon gasses, temperatures and pressures. The grown CNTs were investigated by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The future goal of the project is to utilize these CNTs to enhance the strength of ferrite toroids used as potential pressure sensors. The goal of this summer’s research was to produce carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) using a thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method. Our lab has purchased a quartz chamber for CVD and successfully used it to produce CNTs. The ultimate objective of this project is to establish a method of producing carbon nanotubes for future use to enhance the strength of ferrite toroids used as pressure sensors. The process entailed sputter coating a thin layer of metal catalyst onto a silicone wafer. Acetylene (as the source for carbon molecules), hydrogen, and argon gasses were delivered at varying flow rates, temperatures and pressures to grow CNTs into a uniformly-aligned array. The various CNTs were harvested and examined utilizing NKU’s scanning electron microscope (SEM)