Thin Films of Carbon Nanomaterial from Natural Precursor by Hot Wire CVD

Abstract

Thin films of carbon nanotubes were synthesized from natural plant derived precursors such as camphor, mustard oil, castor oil, coconut oil, turpentine oil and menthol on quartz substrate by hot wire CVD. Morphological and compositional properties were studied by using SEM and EDAX. Optical band gap and activation energy were also determined. Type of conductivity and carrier concentration were calculated by using Hall Effect measurement unit. Various experimental parameters like precursor, deposition time, quantity of precursor, current through coil, etc., and their effect on band gap was studied. Out of the all precursors, camphor was found to be the best precursor for getting carbon thin films with optimized band gap value.

Keywords:

• Carbon nanotubes
• band gap
• hot wire CVD
• camphor

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful for financial support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India.