Effect of reaction time, weight ratio, and type of catalyst on the yield of single-wall carbon nanotubes synthesized by chemical vapor deposition of acetylene

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1536383X.2013.873030

The single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition of C2H2 at 800°C for 30 and 60 minutes. The transition metals of Fe, Co, Ni, V, and bimetallic mixture of Fe-Co impregnated on MgO powder substrate with weight ratios of 1:100, 5:100 and 10:100 were used as catalysts. The effects of catalyst type, weight ratio, and the reaction time on carbon yield of SWCNTs were investigated. The statistical analyses showed that the 1:100 weight ratio of Co-MgO (60 min) had the highest carbon yield (55.99%). It was also found that the reaction time enhances the carbon efficiency of all catalysts whereas increase in weight ratio lowers the carbon efficiency for Fe, V, and Fe-Co; however the carbon efficiency of Co is not affected with change in weight ratio.