Synthesis of narrow-channel carbon nanotubes with close-ended heads by catalytic chemical vapour deposition

Abstract

Catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) is a suitable method for the preparation of carbon nanotube in the different forms. In the present study, it was found that under this experimental condition, close-ended carbon nanotubes are found with peculiar shape that it was called narrow-channel carbon nanotubes (NC-CNTs). In this work, the catalyst support is LiF/KF in ratio 1:1, acetylene (C2H2) was used as the source of carbon and mixture of N2 and H2 as the carrier gases. Characterisation of the carbon nanotubes was carried out using scanning electron microscope (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Raman spectroscopy. It is detected that the nanotubes have the inner diameter about 5-10 nm and they are highly uniform. As a matter of fact, this special structure guarantees its usage in the world of nanocomposites as reinforcement material.