Alternative Synthesis Method for Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

It is demonstrated that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be synthetized on the surface of an example carbon background, activated carbon, using the thermal conversion of poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA). This newly discovered CNTs synthesis method is an alternative solution to previously known methods, e.g., chemical vapor deposition, arc discharge, and laser ablation. Scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images deliver direct evidence of CNT formation through the thermal degradation of PFA in a temperature range of 500–700 °C. The discovered process consists of the free growth of CNTs from PFA without any mechanical patterning, casting, or molding. CNTs obtained in this manner resemble MWCNTs in size, though according to microscopic investigation the tubes do not possess the well‐developed layered structure of MWCNTs. Nonetheless, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy studies fully confirm that carbon (C) is the main elemental constituent of the tubes (C atomic content above 85%) and C atoms are structured in a manner typical of defected CNTs (D, G, and G' intensity ratios).

3D hierarchical porous hybrid nanostructure of carbon nanotubes and N-doped activated carbon

“…Traditional methods of CNT synthesis are complex procedures and based on specific experimental setups, like the presence of vacuum (or high pressure), high temperature, a plasma booster, and a well-selected catalyst, which would provide the right environment for spontaneous nanotube growth. Recently elaborated methods 5 make it possible to replace the traditional ones and replace typical CNTs with an amorphous form of CNT in such a way that the efficiency of the procedure is high and the method can be transferred to an industrial scale. The new method was developed with the aim of synthesizing CNT-based electrode materials, hoping for effective maintenance or improvement of electrochemical properties.…”

Atmospheric Plasma for Carbon Nanotubes Production

“…The basic methods most widely used for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes are Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), electric arc discharge and laser ablation [2][3][4][5][6]. Of these, CVD approaches have emerged as the most promising among the proposals to synthesize carbon nanotubes in order to achieve the goal of mass production [1,3,6].…”