Pulsed Corona Discharge as a Source of Hydrogen and Carbon Nanotube Production

Abstract

Experiments are performed to develop a pulsed corona plasma system for the production of hydrogen and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), directly by methane decomposition, at atmospheric pressure (/spl sime/760 torr). The corona discharge is energized by a pulse voltage (/spl les/7 kV) with pulsewidth 12 /spl mu/s at a repetition rate of about 1 kHz. The simultaneous measurement of both hydrogen gas and CNTs within nonthermal methane discharge at atmospheric pressure are presented. The influences of argon gas on the production rate of hydrogen have also been studied. Resistivity 0.15 /spl Omega/cm of CNTs is observed with the help of a four-probe method. The structural geometry of the CNT is observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The soot that comes out of the discharge is collected from the cathode. The present experimental technique could be useful for the mass production of future energy source providing by hydrogen cells and the nanoelectronics.