Synthesis, characterization, and electrical properties of nitrogen-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes with different nitrogen content

Abstract

Nitrogen-doped single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been synthesized via the thermal decomposition of ferrocene using different ratios of acetonitrile/ethanol feedstock mixtures during the chemical vapor deposition process. The experiments were performed at 950 °C and 2 bar. The concentration of acetonitrile in the mixtures was varied from 0% to 100%. High resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopical measurements revealed the formation of SWCNTs for all mixtures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopical analysis show nitrogen doping levels of up to 2 at.%. The doping levels increase as the acetonitrile concentration increases. The nitrogen incorporation is predominantly in the pyridine form. Electrical conductivity measurements show the dependence of conductivity as a function of nitrogen incorporation in the SWCNTs.