High-efficiency and flow-ratio-dependent growth of carbon nanotubes and carbon spheres hybrid

Carbon hybrid is a sponge-like material which contains carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon spheres (CSs). A sponge-like material attached to the silicon substrate surface grew in 30 min with a moderate gas flow ratio of 0.5 (C2H2 4 sccm; Ar 8 sccm) or higher, compared to the film of multi-walled CNTs with that of 0.25. Thus, it clearly reveals that the growth of carbon hybrid was highly efficient and at a free-standing status on a substrate compared to the growth of CNTs. The I–V diagram suggests that ambipolar diode-like characteristics of the carbon hybrids have higher conductivity for larger mass quantity. Thermoelectric power determines that the existing samples were p-type semiconductors. This study also shows that the carbon hybrid was photosensitive under different illuminated intensities and is sensitive to volatile chemicals. It likewise presents its use as a temperature sensor due to its semiconductor characteristics.