Synthesis of nanotubes via catalytic pyrolysis of acetylene: A SEM study

Abstract

Pyrolysis of acetylene over quartz plates coated with various metal catalysts resulted in the formation of all-carbon nanostructures which were observed directly by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanotubes were studied in detail using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and appear to grow as ultra-thin tubes with a central hollow core and considerable thickening due to secondary pyrolytic deposition. In nearly all samples the nanotube diameter was uniform. In some cases catalytic particles were entrapped within the tubes. The efficiency of the catalysts was evaluated semi-quantitatively.