Carbon nanotubes formation from Fe/Ni/Mg by camphor oil decomposition

Abstract

In this study, carbon nanotubes were formed from camphor oil decomposition on Fe/Ni/Mg catalysts at 650°C by fluidized floating catalyst method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to examine the characteristics of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes were also examined both by FESEM and Raman spectroscopy to define their appearance and structure which revealed that dense bundle of mixed multi-walled and single-walled carbon nanotubes. The diameters of the single-walled carbon nanotubes were estimated to be around 0.86–2.31 nm. Little amount of carbon nanotubes were found on the Fe/Ni/Mg catalyst surface at 550°C; while a significant amount of carbon nanotubes were observed at 650°C. According to the XRD spectrum, there was carbon and graphite present in the deposited samples. Raman spectroscopy revealed two peaks at 1347–1357 cm−1 (D band, disorder mode, amorphous carbon) and 1572 cm−1 (G band, graphite sp2 structure). FESEM results indicated the Fe/Ni/Mg could catalyze the camphor oil decomposition to form carbon nanotubes even at a lower temperature.