Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Synthesis Using Arc Discharge with Hydrocarbon as Feedstock

K T Chaudhary,Z H Rizvi,J Ali,K A Bhatti,P P Yupapin

doi:10.1155/2013/105145

Abstract

Synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) by arc discharge process is investigated with methane (CH4) as background and feedstock gas. The arc discharge is carried out between two graphite electrodes for ambient pressures 100, 300, and 500 torr and arc currents 50, 70, and 90 A. Plasma kinetics such as the density and temperature for arc discharge carbon plasma is determined to find out the contribution of physical parameters as arc current and ambient pressure on the plasma dynamics and growth of MWCNT. With increase in applied arc current and ambient pressure, an increase in plasma temperature and density is observed. The synthesized samples of MWCNT at different experimental conditions are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. A decrease in the diameter and improvement in structure quality and growth of MWCNT are observed with increase in CH4ambient pressure and arc current. For CH4ambient pressure 500 torr and arc current 90 A, the well-aligned and straight MWCNT along with graphene stakes are detected.

Highlights

The unique structure of carbon nanotube (CNT) exhibits extraordinary electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties [1] which make them potential candidate for different technological applications [2,3,4]
The multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) samples synthesized at different experimental conditions are collected form cathode deposit and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy
The carbon arc plasma temperature for different applied experimental conditions are determined by Boltzmann intensity ratio method [21] as given in (1) using relative intensities of spectral lines emitted from the carbon species in arc plasma: T=−

Summary

Introduction

The unique structure of carbon nanotube (CNT) exhibits extraordinary electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties [1] which make them potential candidate for different technological applications [2,3,4]. In order to realize and optimize the application of CNT, it is desired to understand the growth mechanism and influence of physical parameters There are not many investigations carried out on the hydrocarbon gases used as background and feedstock gas in arc discharge process In this investigative work, the MWCNT are synthesized by arc discharge process with CH4 as background and feedstock gas for different ambient pressures and applied arc currents. The synthesized MWCNT for different experimental conditions are analyzed by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to explore the influence of arc current and ambient pressure on the growth and structure quality of MWCNT. The well-aligned, straight, and small diameter MWCNT along graphene are obtained by arc discharge process in CH4 ambient environment

Experimental

Results and Discussion

Conclusion