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Title: Rapid prototyping of three-dimensional microstructures from multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2778292· OSTI ID:21016125
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089 (United States)

The authors report a method for creating three-dimensional carbon nanotube structures, whereby a focused laser beam is used to selectively burn local regions of a dense forest of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used to quantify the threshold for laser burnout and depth of burnout. The minimum power density for burning carbon nanotubes in air is found to be 244 {mu}W/{mu}m{sup 2}. We create various three-dimensional patterns using this method, illustrating its potential use for the rapid prototyping of carbon nanotube microstructures. Undercut profiles, changes in nanotube density, and nanoparticle formation are observed after laser surface treatment and provide insight into the dynamic process of the burnout mechanism.

OSTI ID:
21016125
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 91, Issue 9; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2778292; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English