Polymer-assisted deposition of films and preparation of carbon nanotube arrays using the films

A process of preparing an array of carbon nanotubes comprising:

• applying a coating solution onto a substrate to form a coated substrate, the coating solution including a soluble metal precursor, a soluble polymer and a suitable solvent, said soluble metal precursor including a first metal selected from iron, nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum, said soluble polymer selected from polyethyleneimine, carboxylated polyethyleneimine, other PEI derivatives, polyacrylic acid, polypyrrolidone, and poly(ethylene-maleic acid);
• and
• heating the coated substrate in a reducing atmosphere including a carbon source gas at temperatures and for time characterized as sufficient to first remove the polymer and after removing the polymer, form an array of carbon nanotubes on the support.

An article of manufacture comprising:

• a substrate;
• and,
• a uniform conformal coating of a polymer and metal containing layer thereon, said polymer selected from polyethyleneimine or a derivative thereof, said metal being a first metal selected from iron, cobalt, nickel, and molybdenum and a second metal selected from aluminum and magnesium, said polymer and metal containing layer further including a binding agent selected from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and derivatives and a salt thereof.

The composition of matter of claim 15, wherein said solvent is selected from water, lower alcohols, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, propylene carbonate, acetonitrile, ethylacetate, acetic acid, and mixtures thereof.

The composition of matter of claim 15, wherein said solvent is water.