Visible photoluminescence from ruthenium-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes

Visible photoluminescence at 515 nm of ruthenium-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes, fabricated on quartz substrates using a chemical vapor deposition technique, is reported. The well-aligned nanotubes serve as templates for the luminescent, residual ruthenium-iron catalyst particles contained within the nanotubes, restricting the particle size to about 10 nm. The synthesis technique can be readily extended to other luminescent dopants; moreover, since nanotube arrays can be readily grown from patterned substrates, nanotube-based optoelectronic devices may be achieved. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.