Protuberant arrays of carbon nanotubes grown on substrate irradiated with MeV-energy protons

Vertically protruding arrays of carbon nanotubes were obtained using a cobalt catalyst irradiated with MeV-energy protons. Voids were generated inside the penetrated and dislocated channels by the intercalation of protons and by blister of reduced hydrogen inside the catalyst generated pores, swelling, and agglomerated clusters. These effects are associated with the higher active reaction between gases and catalyst for longer, thicker, and more differentiated growth of carbon nanotubes. The geometry of the carbon-nanotube arrays becomes rugged, oval, or cylindrical depending on the irradiation fluence. Clearly, the treatment of the catalyst by proton irradiation directly controls the patterns and geometry of the vertical carbon-nanotube array. •Differentiated configurations of CNT were simply fabricated with MeV protons.•The geometry of the CNT arrays depends on the irradiation fluence.•The proton irradiation directly controls the patterns and geometry of array.