Synthesis of carbon nanotubes and nanospheres with controlled morphology using differentcatalyst precursors

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes and carbon nanospheres have been selectively synthesized in apolypropylene matrix by simply altering the catalyst precursor. When a mixture offerrocene and cobalt (II) acetate was added to the polypropylene, well-dispersed carbonnanotubes were produced. When only cobalt (II) acetate was added, however, carbonnanospheres were obtained. In a third case, when the added catalyst precursor wasferrocene, no graphitic carbon was formed.