Selected area deposition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes from solution

A simple method is described for the area-selective deposition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) from solution. Selectivity is achieved by functionalizing the MWCNTs with groups that adsorbs preferentially on specific areas of a patterned substrate. Well-characterized octadecylester-functionalized MWCNTs are adsorbed directly from solution on to the substrate. The non-polar hydrocarbon chains interact more strongly with non-polar hydrogen-terminated Si surfaces than do polar oxide surfaces and this gives rise to area-selective adsorption of the MWCNTs on a patterned Si/SiO2 substrate. Potential applications of this method and its application for other types of patterned substrates are discussed.