Recent progress in the synthesis and applications of vertically aligned carbon nanotube materials

Vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) materials is a promising candidate in different fields. The intrinsic performance of VACNTs, such as a large specific surface area, high conductivity, and especially its vertical conductive channel, stands out the VACNT-based device from conventional carbon material-based devices in the energy, environmental sustainability, and so on. In this review, a comprehensive and in-depth summary on the synthesis method and fundamental mechanisms, and design strategies for the novel VACNT materials, is presented. In addition, an overview of the latest development in high-efficiency utilization of VACNT materials in representative fields, including energy storage and conversion, catalysis, terahertz spectroscopy, biology and biomedicine, and environmental sustainability, is given. Finally, the challenges and promising perspectives of VACNT materials in future development are outlined.