Optimize the Properties of Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized using a Microwave Oven

Abstract

In this paper, carbon nanotubes (CNT) are synthesized using the microwave oven method, which offers several advantages, including a simple, quick, inexpensive, and solvent-free growing method. To produce CNT, a mixture of graphite and ferrocene catalysts had to be flattened inside a microwave oven for five seconds at room temperature. CNT was produced using various ratios of graphite and ferrocene, and analyses indicated that a 70:30 graphite/ferrocene ratio produced better nanocrystalline CNT. To optimize CNT properties, five processes of purification were used to dispose of impurities like metal particles and support material from the as-produced carbon nanotubes. Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize the CNTs both after and before purification. After acid treatment and centrifugation, the amount of amorphous carbon and iron particles significantly decreased. Additionally, following the purification process, the ID/IG decreased by 0.14 and the I2D/ID increased by 0.55 for the purified CNTs. Furthermore, the FTIR spectra of the untreated and functionalized CNTs confirm the presence of carboxyl groups on pure CNTs and -OH moieties in sorbed water.