Catalyst-induced growth of carbon nanotubes on tips of cantilevers and nanowires
US6755956B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/31504
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method is described for catalyst-induced growth of carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, and other nanostructures on the tips of nanowires, cantilevers, conductive micro/nanometer structures, wafers and the like. The method can be used for production of carbon nanotube-anchored cantilevers that can significantly improve the performance of scaning probe microscopy (AFM, EFM etc). The invention can also be used in many other processes of micro and/or nanofabrication with carbon nanotubes/fibers. Key elements of this invention include: (1) Proper selection of a metal catalyst and programmable pulsed electrolytic deposition of the desired specific catalyst precisely at the tip of a substrate, (2) Catalyst-induced growth of carbon nanotubes/fibers at the catalyst-deposited tips, (3) Control of carbon nanotube/fiber growth pattern by manipulation of tip shape and growth conditions, and (4) Automation for mass production.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.