Temperature Effect on the Synthesis of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Spray Pyrolysis of Botanical Carbon Feedstocks: Turpentine, α-pinene and β-pinene

Abstract

The chemistry of the different components of turpentine and the effect of temperature on the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by spray pyrolysis using ferrocene as catalyst in a temperature range of 700–1000°C at 100°C intervals was investigated. Turpentine with high α-pinene concentration (83.4%) and low β-pinene concentration (8.22%), as well as pure α-pinene and β-pinene, were used as carbon sources. The MWCNTs were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetrical analysis. When using turpentine, the optimum temperature to produce high yields of crystalline MWCNTs was 800°C. A comparative analysis between pure α- and β-pinene reveals that α-pinene produces more crystalline MWCNTs than β-pinene at 800°C, indicating that α-pinene is the active component in turpentine for the production of crystalline MWCNTs.

Keywords:

• Multi-walled carbon nanotubes
• spray pyrolysis
• turpentine
• α-pinene
• β-pinene

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for valuable technical assistance provided by C. Ornelas-Gutiérrez and F. Rodríguez-Melgarejo.