Abstract
This research aims to identify the best reaction time and mass ratio of camphor to ferrocene as carbon source in the growth of carbon nanotube (CNT). Ferrocene is used as carbon source and catalyst with stainless steel (SS)-316 type gauze as substrate.Camphor as alternative carbon source is intended to improve the CNT synthesis results. This research has shown that benzene, toluene, and xylene dominate camphor decomposition, so the addition will produce good quality CNT and increase the yield. The variation of mass ratio of camphor to ferrocene was 3:1, 2:1, 1:2, 1:3 and the variation of reaction time was 10,20,30,40, and 60 min. The synthesis results of the CNT were characterized using FESEM-EDS while the ferrocene and camphor decomposition gas was analyzed by GC-FID. The best quality of CNT was obtained at 1:2 mass ratio with yield 37%, carbon percentage of 76.98% and diameter of 77-151 nm. Increasing the reaction time from 10 to 20 minutes will increase the yield and quality of CNTs. The yield and quality of the CNT decreased after a reaction time of 30 minutes due to the deactivation of the catalyst and the closure of the active sites by nucleation and carbon growth.
Highlights
Since their first discovery, the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has attracted much attention due to their unique characteristics and potential applications in many fields
We synthesize CNT with ferrocene as carbon source and catalyst, added with camphor as alternative carbon source that was intended to improve the quality of CNT products
The synthesis process has been investigated with regard to the two different parameters: the best reaction time and mass ratio of camphor to ferrocene as carbon source
Summary
The synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has attracted much attention due to their unique characteristics and potential applications in many fields. Various methods of producing CNTs have been reported, including electric arc-discharge, laser ablation, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) In order for CNTs to be commercially utilized, the production of CNTs has to be achieved at high yield, low cost, high purity and with much greater control over the key characteristics such as length and diameter. The key of costs control in CNT fabrication process include: raw materials (carbon source), catalysts, and energy requirements [1]. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) is the most economical method for CNT fabrication. Low-cost catalysts are needed to reduce the energy requirements of CNT forming processes, one of which is ferrocene [2,3]. At temperatures higher than 500 ° C, the ferrocene decomposes spontaneously throughout with
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