Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes from Pd catalysts by gas source method using ethanol in high vacuum

Abstract

We carried out single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) growth at 600 °C using Pd catalysts by the alcohol gas source method. When Pd catalysts deposited on SiO2/Si substrates were used, the G band in the Raman spectra was broad and weak RBM peaks were observed at ethanol pressures between 1 × 10−3 and 1 × 10−1 Pa. On the other hand, using Al2Ox buffer layers, a sharp G band with a shoulder peak (G− peak) and several radial breathing mode (RBM) peaks were observed, which indicates the growth of SWCNTs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed that dense web like SWCNTs were formed, and the diameters of SWCNTs estimated from the wavenumbers of RBM peaks were 1.3–2.9 nm, which were larger than those from Pt catalysts. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation showed that the larger migration distance of Pd caused an enlargement of catalyst particle sizes, resulting in the larger diameters of SWCNTs from Pd catalysts.