Position-controlled carbon fiber growth catalyzed using electron beam-induced chemical vapor deposition ferrocene nanopillars

We demonstrated nanotube growth on a position-controlled catalyst using electron beam-induced chemical vapor deposition (EB-CVD) ferrocene nanopillars. While solid phase graphitization was induced at 650 degrees C, iron nanoparticles only appeared on the surface by eroding the surrounding graphite triggered by the gas phase carbon fiber growth, at a temperature higher than 800 degrees C using ethanol vapor. The precise position control achieved by EB-CVD directly reflected that of carbon fiber growth, which is a promising position-controlled carbon nanotube growth method for future device applications.