Patent ID: 8541054

Claim:
A method for synthesizing single wall carbon nanotubes, the method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate having a deposition mask; depositing a bimetallic or trimetallic metalorganic layer on the substrate, wherein at least a portion of the bimetallic or trimetallic metalorganic layer is deposited on an unmasked portion of the substrate, and wherein the bimetallic or trimetallic metalorganic layer comprises an organic portion and an inorganic portion, and wherein the bimetallic or trimetallic metalorganic layer has a thickness of 1 micron; removing the deposition mask from the substrate; exposing said portion of the bimetallic or trimetallic metalorganic layer to air; pyrolyzing the organic portion of said portion of the bimetallic or trimetallic metalorganic layer by exposing said portion to air and heating said portion to a temperature of between 450° C. and 500° C. for between 2 to 4 hours to form a growth catalyst on the substrate; and exposing the substrate to a carbon precursor gas at a deposition temperature to form single wall carbon nanotubes.