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Diameter-Specific Growth of Semiconducting SWNT Arrays Using Uniform Mo2C Solid Catalyst
Shuchen Zhang1, Lianming Tong1, Yue Hu1
1Center for Nanochemistry, Beijing Science and Engineering Center for Nanocarbons, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China.
Uniform molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) nanoparticles enable the high-yield growth of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWNTs) with controlled diameters for nanoelectronics. This method utilizes specific Mo2C catalysts to produce aligned s-SWNT arrays with narrow diameter distributions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemistry
Background:
- Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWNTs) are crucial for advanced nanoelectronic devices.
- Achieving s-SWNTs with specific diameters and high purity remains a significant challenge.
- Controlled synthesis of aligned s-SWNT arrays is essential for device fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for producing aligned semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube arrays with narrow diameter distributions.
- To investigate the use of uniform molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) nanoparticles as a solid catalyst for s-SWNT growth.
- To understand the catalytic mechanism for selective growth of s-SWNTs over metallic SWNTs (m-SWNTs).
Main Methods:
- Preparation of uniform Mo2C nanoparticles using molybdenum oxide-based giant clusters (Mo132) as a precursor.
- Carburization of the precursor using a C2H5OH/H2 gas mixture under temperature-programmed reduction.
- Growth of aligned s-SWNT arrays on a quartz substrate using the synthesized Mo2C nanoparticles as a catalyst.
- Raman spectroscopy for characterization of SWNT diameters and chirality.
Main Results:
- Aligned s-SWNT arrays with high yield (∼90%) and narrow diameter distribution (∼85% between 1.0 and 1.3 nm) were successfully synthesized.
- Uniform Mo2C nanoparticles with monodisperse sizes were obtained by inhibiting MoO3 formation at low temperatures.
- The Mo2C catalyst selectively catalyzed C-O bond scission and preferential etching of m-SWNTs by absorbed oxygen (Oads).
- Identified major s-SWNT chiralities include (14, 4), (13, 6), and (10, 9).
Conclusions:
- Uniform Mo2C nanoparticles are effective solid catalysts for the controlled growth of aligned s-SWNT arrays.
- The narrow size-dispersion of Mo2C nanoparticles directly influences the diameter distribution of the grown SWNTs.
- The catalytic process enables high-yield production of s-SWNTs, crucial for nanoelectronic applications.
- This approach offers a pathway for chirality-controlled growth of aligned SWNTs.
