Towards chirality-controlled SWCNTs: Can a plasma help?

The exceptional mechanical, chemical, thermal, electrical and optical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have tantalized the scientific community for over two decades. However, SWCNTs must be prepared with a high degree of uniformity, which represents a significant synthetic challenge, to make the envisioned technological applications a reality. Among the various approaches that have been developed to synthesize SWCNTs, plasma-based processes are attractive because of their important role in the electronics industry. In this perspective paper, the most recent and promising applications of plasma technology for chirality-controlled SWCNT synthesis are presented including preparation of well-defined catalysts, selective nucleation etching and reacting tubes after growth. Overall, these strategies have achieved improved uniformity over the structure and properties of SWCNTs and offer great potential for the integration of these novel materials in future electronic and optical devices.