Growth of nanotubes from patterned and ordered nanoparticles

摘要

Methods, apparatus and systems form structures from nanoparticles by providing a source of nanoparticles, the particles being capable of being moved by application of a field, such as an electrical field, magnetic field and even electromagnetic radiation or fields such as light, UV, IR, radiowaves, radiation and the like; depositing the nanoparticles to a surface in a first distribution of the nanoparticles; applying a field to the nanoparticles on the surface that applies a force to the particles; and rearranging the nanoparticles on the surface by the force from the field to form a second distribution of nanoparticles on the surface. Nanoparticle catalysts can be deposited on the surfaces. The second distribution of nanoparticles is more ordered or more patterned than the first distribution of nanoparticles as a result of the rearranging. Nanotubes can then be grown on the ordered nanoparticle deposited catalysts.