Electric Current Induced Nanofilm Deposition on Carbon Nanotubes

We report a novel technique for growing of nanofilm induced by electric current. A single carbon nanotube (CNT) as a conductive nanowire was suspended between two electrodes, and was supplied by direct currents. As the current flowed through the CNT, the tungsten nanofilm was deposited on the surface of the CNT using tungsten hexacarbonyl as precursors. The nanofilms were observed with transmission electron microscopy and its composition was analyzed with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. From the experimental result, the tungsten composition was 88 %. The growth mechanisms are considered that the tungsten hexacarbonyl are decomposed by the resistance induced thermal.