Pulsed electrodeposition into AAO templates for CVD growth of carbon nanotube arrays

Anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) templates for multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) growth were produced by anodization of aluminium followed by pulse-reverse electrodeposition of cobalt inside the AAO pores. Cobalt functioned as the catalyst for H2/C2H2 chemical vapour deposition (CVD) growth of fairly well graphitized MWCNTs initiating inside the majority of the AAO pores and quickly growing beyond the pore confines. A technique is introduced for the production of AAO templates that fill evenly during pulsed electrodeposition. The electrodeposition produced an active metallic catalyst in the pore bottoms, with minimal over-filling. This process also eliminates the reduction step necessary when alternating current (AC) electrodeposition is used for filling AAO pores.