Gigas Growth of Carbon Nanotubes
Abstract
An exceptionally high yield of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been achieved by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of camphor over zeolite support. A simple 30 min CVD of 12 g camphor over Fe-Co-impregnated zeolite at 650 °C in an academic laboratory setup, yields 6 g multiwalled CNTs of dia ~10 nm with an as-grown purity of ~88 per cent. Owing to the enormous CNT growth,the zeolite bed inflates by 1000 wt per cent and 10,000 vol per cent. Camphor-to-CNT production efficiency is 50 per cent and net carbon-to-CNT conversion efficiency is 61per cent. These figures are incomparably higher than that of any CNT precursor by any method. Hence it is called‚gigas growth™. The technique greatly complies with the principles of green chemistry, and thus sets an example of an environment-friendly nanotechnology.
Defence Science Journal, 2008, 58(4), pp.496-503, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.58.1670
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