Effect of Reaction Time, Weight Ratio, and Type of Catalyst on the Yield of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition of Acetylene

Abstract

The single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition of C₂H₂ at 800°C for 30 and 60 minutes. The transition metals of Fe, Co, Ni, V, and bimetallic mixture of Fe-Co impregnated on MgO powder substrate with weight ratios of 1:100, 5:100 and 10:100 were used as catalysts. The effects of catalyst type, weight ratio, and the reaction time on carbon yield of SWCNTs were investigated. The statistical analyses showed that the 1:100 weight ratio of Co-MgO (60 min) had the highest carbon yield (55.99%). It was also found that the reaction time enhances the carbon efficiency of all catalysts whereas increase in weight ratio lowers the carbon efficiency for Fe, V, and Fe-Co; however the carbon efficiency of Co is not affected with change in weight ratio.

Keywords::

• carbon nanotubes
• chemical vapor deposition
• transition metal catalyst
• acetylene