The Effect of Precursor Vaporization Temperature on the Growth of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes Using Palm Oil

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated from palm oil using the thermal chemical vapor deposition technique utilizing a two furnace system. The effect of precursor vaporization temperature of the first furnace, in the range of 300-600°C was systematically studied with the synthesis temperature (second furnace) fixed at 750°C for a total time of 30 min. The samples were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy. CNTs of various packing densities and diameters were synthesized with the varying precursor vaporization temperature. Based on micro-Raman measurements nanotube defect level and the presence of SWCNT were dependent on the vaporization temperature. Vertically aligned CNTs (VACNTs) were found to grow within the vaporization temperature range of 400-500°C, with well graphitized and higher yield obtained at 450°C with excellent lateral alignment, uniform nanotubes diameter (~15 nm), orientation and distribution within the CNT bundles. At vaporization temperatures of 300-350°C and 500-600°C, lower growth rate, bigger nanotubes diameter and higher ID/IG ratio were observed which indicated lower nanotubes quality that produced at both temperature ranges.