CVD Synthesis of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes onto Different Catalysts at Low Temperature

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized onto a series of individual and bimetallic catalysts by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of acetylene at low temperature (600[Formula: see text]C). The catalysts were prepared by two methods, i.e., precipitation and sol–gel, with two different carriers – MgO and Al2O3. The catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis, low-temperature adsorption of nitrogen. The yield of the MWCNTs was calculated in two ways, while the highest yield of 800% was achieved onto the two-component NiO/Co2O3/MgO catalyst, SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirm that uniform tube-like structure MWCNTs with the yield of 410% were obtained onto Co2O3/Al2O3 catalyst. These MWCNTs are smooth and pointing in the same direction. Their tube diameter is about 20[Formula: see text]nm, which is the smallest around all observed MWCNTs. Moreover, nonuniform curved bamboo-like MWCNTs with nozzles in the yield of 760% were obtained onto NiO/V2O3/MgO catalyst. Their diameter ranges from 25[Formula: see text]nm to 50[Formula: see text]nm. Results show that single-component catalyst promotes the growth of uniform and smaller nanotubes. Among the as-grown nanotubes, their specific surface area increases and average pores diameter reduces after the treatment with concentrated nitric acid at reflux and washing condition. The largest specific surface area (305[Formula: see text]m2/g) and average pores diameter (26[Formula: see text]m2/g) are processed to MWCNTs grown onto the NiO/Co2O3/MgO catalyst. MWCNTs with such large structural adsorption characteristics and purity of more than 99% obtained with yield 800% show potential use for preparation of nanocomposites as anode materials in lithium ion batteries.