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Synthesis of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

David Jacques ,
Stephane Villain ,
Apparao M. Rao ,
Rodney Andrews ,
Frank Derbyshire ,
Elizabeth C. Dickey  and
Dali Qian
David Jacques
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky, 2540 Research Park Drive, Lexington, KY 40511
Stephane Villain
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky, 2540 Research Park Drive, Lexington, KY 40511
Apparao M. Rao
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky, 2540 Research Park Drive, Lexington, KY 40511
Rodney Andrews
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky, 2540 Research Park Drive, Lexington, KY 40511
Frank Derbyshire
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Energy Research University of Kentucky, 2540 Research Park Drive, Lexington, KY 40511
Elizabeth C. Dickey
Affiliation:
Chemical and Materials Engineering 177 Anderson Hall, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506
Dali Qian
Affiliation:
Chemical and Materials Engineering 177 Anderson Hall, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506
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Abstract

In a recent publication we have described the synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by the reaction of a hydrocarbon vapor over a dispersed iron catalyst that is deposited in situ on quartz substrates. Our system configuration involves entraining a mixture of xylene and ferrocene into an inert gas stream. Decomposition of the ferrocene at temperatures in the range 625-775 °C, and at atmospheric pressure, produces a coating of iron nanoparticles on the quartz surfaces, and these metal sites function as catalysts for the formation and growth of MWNTs. In this study, we report the influence of operating conditions on MWNT purity and yield. These parameters include the feed injection temperature, furnace temperature, hydrocarbon partial pressure, reaction time, space velocity, and iron to carbon ratio in the feed. We observed that the quality of the MWNTs dependc sensitively on the growth parameters and a window for the operating conditions is identified for the growth of high purity aligned MWNTs. Characterization of the MWNTs by electron microscopy has shown that there is a relationship between metal particle size and MWNT diameter.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 593: Symposium U – Amorphous & Nanostructured Carbon , 1999 , 15
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2000

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References

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