Synthesis of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes on stainless steel by water-assisted chemical vapor deposition and characterization of their electrochemical properties

We demonstrate synthesis of carbon nanotubes on stainless steel by water-assisted chemical vapor deposition using an Al/Fe bimetallic catalyst. A forest of vertically-oriented carbon nanotubes with a length of a few hundreds of micrometers were grown on the substrates. Electrical measurement confirmed that the carbon nanotubes were electrically connected to the stainless steel. Owing to the carbon nanotubes, electrochemical properties such as faradaic current and electron transfer were considerably improved. Carbon nanotubes grown on the stainless steel substrates would potentially be useful for various applications including electrochemical energy conversion and storage.