Growth of Thin Carbon Nanotubes by Catalytic Decomposition of Methane Over Co–Mo/MgO Catalyst and Their Transparent Conducting Electrostatic Properties

Abstract

Large numbers of thin carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were produced by catalytic decomposition of methane over Co–Mo/MgO catalyst at 1173 K. The carbon yield was ∼800% and the carbon nanotubes were <10 nm in diameter. The synthesized thin CNTs were mixed with a dispersant solution, and then ultrasound, coating, drying, and cutting steps were carried out to fabricate CNT films. The sheet resistance of the CNT films and the corresponding light transmittance were determined. When the light transmittance was in the 75–80% range, the sheet resistance of the synthesized thin CNTs was in the 105–106 ohm·sq−1 orders of magnitude, within the transparent conducting electrostatic scope. A comparison of the transparent conducting electrostatic properties of the prepared thin CNTs and those of common multi-walled CNTs (outer diameter 30–50 nm) confirmed the superior transparent conducting electrostatic performance of the thin CNTs.