In:
Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, IOP Publishing, Vol. 45, No. 34 ( 2012-08-29), p. 345204-
Abstract:
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were produced by an electric arc process in a low-pressure chamber with vertical electrodes using heterogeneous graphite anodes containing nickel and yttrium catalysts. The influence of the chamber volume (18, 25 and 60 L) and graphite grain size (1 and 100 µ m) of the anode on the resulting products was analysed. This was correlated with the physical properties of the plasma as studied by optical emission spectroscopy and with the temperature of the gaseous atmosphere surrounding the plasma as measured using thermocouples. Nanotube yield and purity were evaluated from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Results showed a strong influence of the heterogeneous anode grain size. It was found that the optimal synthesis conditions correspond to an arc chamber volume of 25 L and a graphite grain size of 1 µ m. In that case the plasma temperature and the carbon over nickel concentration ratio in the plasma differ notably from those observed under the other synthesis conditions. It was also found that a slower temperature rise of the gaseous atmosphere surrounding the plasma and a higher anode erosion rate are associated with a higher SWCNT yield. These results were interpreted considering the vapour–liquid–solid nanotube formation model.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0022-3727
,
1361-6463
DOI:
10.1088/0022-3727/45/34/345204
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
IOP Publishing
Publication Date:
2012
detail.hit.zdb_id:
209221-9
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1472948-9
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