Flame synthesis of Fe catalyzed single-walled carbon nanotubes and Ni catalyzed nanofibers: growth mechanisms and consequences

Flame synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanofibers is demonstrated using a pyrolysis flame configuration. Fe reacts preferentially with CO/H 2/He mixtures to produce single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs). In contrast, Ni reacts preferentially with C 2H 2/H 2/He mixtures to yield nanofibers....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical physics letters 2001-11, Vol.349 (3), p.178-184
Main Authors: Vander Wal, Randall L, Hall, Lee J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Exact sciences and technology
Materials science
Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization
Physics
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Summary:Flame synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanofibers is demonstrated using a pyrolysis flame configuration. Fe reacts preferentially with CO/H 2/He mixtures to produce single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs). In contrast, Ni reacts preferentially with C 2H 2/H 2/He mixtures to yield nanofibers. Both catalyst metals exhibit a marked size dependent reactivity towards these reactant gas mixtures. The yarmulke mechanism and a carbon solvation/diffusion/precipitation account for the different catalyzed products; SWNTs and nanofibers, respectively. Consequences of the size dependent reactivities of Fe and Ni nanoparticles and the respective growth mechanisms for the SWNTs and nanofibers are discussed.
ISSN:0009-2614
1873-4448
DOI:10.1016/S0009-2614(01)01198-8