Carbon nanotube growth mechanism switches from tip- to base-growth with decreasing catalyst particle size

The growth of carbon nanotubes by a plasma assisted catalytic chemical vapor deposition was investigated using cobalt, nickel and iron catalyst particles of different sizes. For the three catalysts examined, it was shown that the growth mode switches from “tip-growth” for large particles (>>5 nm) to “base-growth” for smaller ones (<5 nm). While single-walled nanotubes and those with few walls (typically <7 walls) grow from their base, larger multi-walled nanotubes are fed with carbon via their tips which support the catalyst particle. A growth scenario involving two different pathways for carbon diffusion is proposed in order to explain the change in growth mode.