Patent · US Expired

Method of producing a branched carbon nanotube for use with an atomic force microscope

US6871528B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
16References
32Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateApr 14, 2003
Grant dateMar 29, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 14, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S977/876
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of producing a branched carbon nanotube (CNT) is disclosed. The branched CNT is used with an atomic force microscope having a cantilever and a tip and that is able to measure a surface of a substrate as well as an undercut feature of the substrate that protrudes from the surface. A catalytic material is deposited onto the tip of the microscope, and the catalytic material is subjected to chemical vapor deposition. This initiates growth of a primary branch of the branched carbon nanotube such that the primary branch extends from the tip. A secondary branch is then introduced to extend from the primary branch and produce the branched carbon nanotube. The primary branch interacts with the surface of the substrate and the secondary branch interacts with the undercut feature.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.