Possible role of charge transport in enhanced carbon nanotube growth

We consider the role of electric fields during metal-catalysed thermal chemical vapour deposition growth of carbon nanotubes and show that enhanced growth occurs from a negatively biased electrode. An electric field, applied externally to the growing tubes and/or generated as a result of electron emission or self-biasing, may strongly affect the carbon supply through the catalyst nanoparticle, enhancing the growth rate. Different aspects of the growth process are analysed: the nature of the nanoparticle catalysis, carbon dissolution kinetics, electron emission from the nanotube tips, charge transport in the nanotube-catalytic nanoparticle system and carbon drift and diffusion through the catalyst under the action of the electric field. A fundamental tenet for modelling of charge-transport dynamics during the nanotube growth process is proposed.