AUTHORS: R Andrews, M Hanel and D Jacques
Center for Applied Energy Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40511-8410
Carbon nanotubes have many potential applications due to their unique electronic and mechanical properties. Many of these applications will require mass production of aligned carbon nanotubes (NTs) in high purity and at low cost if they are to achieve industrial viability. In this regard, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the most promising synthesis route for producing large quantities of carbon nanotubes at a low cost. We have developed a low cost CVD process for the continuous production of aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT). Here we report the effects of reactor temperature, reaction time and carbon partial pressure on the yield, purity and size of the MWNT produced. Product yield is found to increase with reaction temperature and carbon partial pressure, while reaction time passes through a maximum after which amorphous carbon is primarily formed in favor of MWNT.