Rustan Ruslan, Abd Wahidin Nuayi, Ajeng Eliyana, Fatimah Arofiati Noor, Toto Winata
The catalyst plays a key role in the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) functioning as a guiding medium in the growth process. In this research, a nickel (Ni) catalyst was on a 7101 glass substrate using the thermal evaporation method. First, the effect of the thickness of the layer on its morphology was investigated, with thicknesses of 30, 40, 50, and 60 nm examined. An optimum density was obtained at 50 nm, at which the Ni particles attained the highest average diameter of 4.23 nm, and polydispersity index lower than the other samples, at 5.87%. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results also showed a positive linear relationship between the thickness of the layer and both its mass and purity. Samples at this optimum thickness were annealed at 300 °C, 400 °C, or 500 °C for 4 hours to refine the crystal structure of the catalyst and produce small, uniform features. The samples annealed at 500 °C had the greatest average particle diameter of 5.92 nm and the lowest polydispersity of 5.76%. With a Ni catalyst that has a low polydispersity and thus a high level of uniformity, CNTs with a good level of uniformity and quality can also be obtained. © 2025 Institute of Physics Publishing. All rights reserved.
Physics and Technology of Advanced Materials Research Division, Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia; Physics of Materials Group, Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Jln. Jend. Sudirman No. 06 Kota Gorontalo, Gorontalo, 96128, Indonesia; Physics of Material and Instrumentation Research Group, Departement of Physics, Faculty of science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Jl. Terusan Ryacudu, Lampung Selatan, Jati Agung, Indonesia