News Excerpt:

Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have pioneered a novel method for directly synthesising CNTs on glass substrates at a temperature of 750 °C.

• It could catalyse energy research, biomedical fields, and optoelectronics, rechargeable batteries & flexible electronics.

About the experiment: 

• The experiment is performed using the Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition Technique (PECVD), where plasma is generated using a specially designed spiral-shaped fused hollow cathode source. 
• This innovative process circumvents the need for elevated temperatures and eliminates the necessity for a transition metal catalyst. 
• Furthermore, this synthesis is executed under atmospheric pressure, adding commendable cost-effectiveness to its advantages compared to counterparts in the field.
• Benefits from the experiment: 
• Decrease in temperature from conventional CNT (1000 to 750).
• Na as a catalyst is easily removed compared to Fe, Co, and Ni (The challenge of removing these catalysts from CNTs adds a significant cost highlighting the urgent need for cleaner, more sustainable CNT synthesis methods).