Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized by catalytic decomposition
of 20% methane in hydrogen over Co–Mo/MgO catalysts at
1000 °C. The catalysts were prepared by a modified sol–gel method, using sorbitol, ethylenediamine
tetraacetic acid (EDTA), tartaric acid and citric acid as organic additives. The specific surface
area (SSA) of the catalysts changes with the organic additives in the order of sorbitol
> EDTA
> citric
acid>
tartaric acid. As a result the crystallite size, dispersion of Co–Mo and hence the quality of
the carbon nanotubes change with the organic additive. Up to 180 wt% yield of high
quality single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with inner-wall diameter close
to 1.0–1.2 nm are obtained on the catalyst prepared in the presence of sorbitol.
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