Copper-assisted, templated preparation of submicron-sized tubular CNT arrays by corona discharge enhanced CVD

The corona discharge enhanced CVD technique is used to synthesize copper nanoparticle-doped submicron carbon nanotubes. The average diameter of prepared copper nanoparticles is as small as 3 nm. Under the blank membrane condition (no metal loading), however, no nanotubes are formed. The existence of copper nanoparticles seems to facilitate the homogeneous deposition of carbon species onto the interior surface of an AAO membrane.