Carbon nanotubes produced by substrate free metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of iron catalysts and ethylene

• Published in: Carbon (New York) 2001-01, Vol.39 (3), p.443-449
• Main Authors: Marangoni, Roberto, Serp, Philippe, Feurer, Roselyne, Kihn, Yolande, Kalck, Philippe, Vahlas, Constantin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Carbon nanotubes, Catalytically grown carbon; B. Chemical vapor deposition; C. Electron microscopy; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; D. Microstructure; Exact sciences and technology; Growth from vapor; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Physics
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/S0008-6223(00)00149-4

Currently, the major route for production of carbon nanotubes is based on gas-phase processes. This route includes methods which are also used for the synthesis of fullerenes, like the arc-discharge one. Most of these techniques suffer from some drawbacks: They require high purity, costly graphite as starting material; They are batch processes and for this, the amount of MWNT that can be produced is limited and the resulting material reveals some inhomogeneities. We explore in the present contribution an alternative technique for the catalytic production of carbon nanomaterials. The technique is based on a homogeneous phase decomposition of two precursors, one for the metal and the other for carbon. The rationale behind this approach is to propose a process following which a rich-in. MWNT carbon product can be produced in a continuous way.