Energetic impact deposition of carbon nanotubes: Mechanism, nanopatterning, and field emission property

Carbon nanotube (CNT) films and nanopatterned lines were produced on silicon and indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates using energetic impact deposition (EID) of CNT aerosols. With sufficient impact energy, CNTs can be directly bound on the substrate without any polymer binder, catalyst, or chemical treatment. Field emission data indicates that the deposited CNTs with a form of many terminal protuberances play a role of electron field emitter. The mechanism of deposition process and interfacial chemical bond formation were also investigated by classical molecular dynamics simulation.