Epitaxial carbon nanotube film self-organized by sublimation decomposition of silicon carbide

A film of well-oriented carbon nanotubes was produced by sublimation decomposition of silicon carbide at 1700 degrees C by using YAG laser heating in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The processes of SiC decomposition and the formation of carbon nanotubes were observed successively by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). Carbon nanotubes were mostly oriented along the [111] direction on the (111) surface plane of beta-SiC single crystal. The interface between them was observed by HREM. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.