Investigating the outskirts of Fe and Co catalyst particles in alumina-supported catalytic CVD carbon nanotube growth.

Using thermal CVD, the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes exhibiting roots anchored directly onto alpha-alumina supports, rather than the catalyst particle, is reported. At such roots, the alignment of the graphitic planes with the support lattice fringes depends on the support crystal structure and orientation. Surface defects may alter the reactivity of the surface or control the anchoring of supported atoms or nanoparticles.