Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes by Using a Series of Phenyl Derivatives as Precursors

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Abstract

A series of phenyl derivatives were systematically investigated as carbon source to prepare carbon nanotubes. The phenyl derivatives with electron-donating groups are ideal carbon sources for the mass production of CNTs, in which phenol is optimal.

In this study, a series of phenyl derivatives including toluene, phenol, aniline, benzene, benzaldehyde, nitrobenzene, chlorobenzene and benzoic acid, were systematically investigated as carbon source to tentatively prepare carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The results were revealed that the phenyl derivatives with electron-donating groups were inclined to be dehydrogenated over the surface of metallic catalyst nanoparticles at low temperature, and the yield of CNTs obtained is high; whereas those with electron-withdrawing groups were difficult to be dehydrogenated over catalyst, and the growth temperature of CNTs is high, accordingly the resulted yield of product is low or even of naught. As a comprehensive comparison with other phenyl derivatives, phenol is the most ideal carbon resource to produce CNTs due to its very low toxicity, convenient transportation and reservation and high yield of CNTs.

Keywords:

• Carbon nanotubes
• Chemical vapour deposition
• Phenyl derivatives
• Electron-donating groups

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the NSFC (21161016) and Department of Education in Jiangxi Province (KJLD14087, GJJ14714) and NSFJXP (20142BAB216013).