Synthesis and characterization of long-CNTs by electrical arc discharge in deionized water and NaCl solution

Amir Hossein Sari,Arezoo Khazali,Sara Sadat Parhizgar

doi:10.1007/s40089-018-0227-5

Abstract

In this study, electrical arc discharge method is used for the synthesis of multi wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The advantages of applied setup for producing CNTs are simplicity, low-cost procedures and avoiding the multistep purification. The experiments were optimized by submerging graphite electrodes inside deionized water and various concentrations of sodium chloride solution. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of liquid medium on growth, size and quality of the CNTs structures. The results show that CNTs of 150 Â µm length or larger with high purity and quality without using catalyst are produced on the cathode surface. Furthermore, the quantity of CNTs is influenced by NaCl concentration. Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction technique were used to characterize the results.

Highlights

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are very attractive materials in the fields of medicine and engineering due to their unique electrical, mechanical and elastic properties [1, 2]
CNTs are produced by arc discharge, laser ablation and chemical vapor deposition methods [6, 7]
CNTs produced by arc discharge are highly crystalline and have fewer defects than nanotubes produced by other methods [13]

Summary

Introduction

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are very attractive materials in the fields of medicine and engineering due to their unique electrical, mechanical and elastic properties [1, 2]. There are various methods to produce CNTs in sizable quantities [3–5]. CNTs are produced by arc discharge, laser ablation and chemical vapor deposition methods [6, 7]. Iijima for the first time conducted an arc discharge in a chamber with helium gas at atmospheric pressure [8]. Ebbesen et al reported the production of large amount of CNTs by arc discharge in a reduced inert-gas atmosphere (e.g., Ar, He, etc.) [9]. Ishigami synthesized the CNTs in liquid nitrogen [10]. Antisari produced CNTs in a deionized water (DI water) and liquid nitrogen and compared the results [11]. CNTs produced in both arc discharge and laser ablation methods need to be purified [12]. CNTs produced by arc discharge are highly crystalline and have fewer defects than nanotubes produced by other methods [13].

Objectives

Methods

Results