Low‐Temperature Growth of Carbon Nanotubes Catalyzed by Sodium‐Based Ingredients

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2019-07, Vol.58 (27), p.9204-9209
• Main Authors: Li, Richard, Antunes, Erica F., Kalfon‐Cohen, Estelle, Kudo, Akira, Acauan, Luiz, Yang, Wei‐Chang D., Wang, Canhui, Cui, Kehang, Liotta, Andrew H., Rajan, Ananth Govind, Gardener, Jules, Bell, David C., Strano, Michael S., Liddle, J. Alexander, Sharma, Renu, Wardle, Brian L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylene; Alkali metals; Baking; Carbon; carbon nanotube; Carbon nanotubes; Catalysis; Catalysts; Chemical synthesis; Chemical vapor deposition; Dehydrogenation; Detergents; Energy storage; Low temperature; Metals; Morphology; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; nanostructures; Nanotechnology; Nanotubes; Organic chemistry; Physical characteristics; Reagents; Sodium; Sodium bicarbonate; Sodium carbonate; Sodium chloride; Sodium hydroxide; Substrates; Transmission electron microscopy; Vaporization
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201902516

Synthesis of low‐dimensional carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a key driver for achieving advances in energy storage, computing, and multifunctional composites, among other applications. Here, we report high‐yield thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis of CNTs catalyzed by reagent‐grade common sodium‐containing compounds, including NaCl, NaHCO3, Na2CO3, and NaOH, found in table salt, baking soda, and detergents, respectively. Coupled with an oxidative dehydrogenation reaction to crack acetylene at reduced temperatures, Na‐based nanoparticles have been observed to catalyze CNT growth at temperatures below 400 °C. Ex situ and in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveal unique CNT morphologies and growth characteristics, including a vaporizing Na catalyst phenomenon that we leverage to create CNTs without residual catalyst particles for applications that require metal‐free CNTs. Na is shown to synthesize CNTs on numerous substrates, and as the first alkali group metal catalyst demonstrated for CNT growth, holds great promise for expanding the understanding of nanocarbon synthesis. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be grown from common ingredients containing Na. Table salt, baking soda, lye, and washing soda can be dried onto substrates and subjected to a low‐temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process below 400 °C, resulting in grown CNTs. Residual Na catalyst can be removed through an inert heat treatment anneal, resulting in catalyst‐free CNTs.