Carbon Nanotubes Preparation Using Carbon Monoxide from the Pyrolysis Flame

Abstract

Carbon nanotube is a new kind of carbon material. Synthesis of carbon nanotubes from V-type pyrolysis flame is a kind of novel technique. It needs simple laboratory equipments and normal atmosphere pressure. The V-type pyrolysis flame experimental system is introduced. Carbon source is the carbon monoxide which is carried to the middle pipe of V-type pyrolysis flame combustor. Heat source is from acetylene /air premixed flame. Pentacarbonyl iron, served as catalyst, is transported by spray- pyrolysis method into the burner. The carbon nanotubes were characterized by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The diameter of carbon nanotubes is approximate 20nm and its length is dozens of microns. The impact of the temperature, reactant composition and catalyst was analyzed to reveal the rule of carbon nanotube growth. Carbon nanotubes with good form and less impurity can be captured when the temperature was from 800°C to 1000°C and carbon monoxide/hydrogen/helium mixed gas flow was supplied. The effective diameter of pentacarbonyl iron nanoparticles is approximate from 5nm to 20nm in the process of carbon nanotube formation. Mechanism of carbon nanotube base on the V-type pyrolysis flame method was proposed. The carbon “dissolved-proliferation-separate out” theory can be used to explain how the pentacarbonyl iron catalyses carbon monoxide to form carbon nanotubes.