The enhanced growth of multi-walled carbon nanotubes using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet

Abstract

The growth of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forests was investigated using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) system with a mixture of helium and acetylene gases. The MWCNT forests grown on Fe catalyst were compared with those grown on Ni. The growth of MWCNT forests using Fe as the catalyst was better than the growth of MWCNT forests using Ni. The MWCNT forests grown using Fe catalyst and with a plasma power of 30 W were about 17 ± 9% taller than for the plasma off. We were unable to grow MWCNTs using Ni catalyst with the plasma power off; but curly MWCNTs were grown using Ni catalyst if the plasma power was 30 W. It is found that MWCNT growth is enhanced using an APPJ. The height of the forests produced using this APPJ system was also better than that reported by other researchers using either CVD or PECVD systems.