Inkjet printing of catalyst-inks on Si wafers and the subsequent synthesis of carbon nanotubes by chemical vapour deposition

The production of substrates coated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in well-defined patterns is desirable for sensor applications. In the present work, nickel based catalytic inks were prepared and printed on silicon substrates using inkjet delivery. Subsequently, the substrates were subjected to calcination and chemical vapour deposition for the growth of aligned CNTs. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the CNTs. Various concentrations and formulations of ink preparations were studied to investigate the effect of these parameters on the growth and structure of the CNTs.