The Influence of Temperature and Carrier Gas Flow in the Obtainment of Carbon Nanotubes by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the synthesis conditions on the characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), to optimize the process parameters in the growth of CNTs. The CNTs were obtained by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) at 800, 850 and 900 °C and carrier gas flow of 50, 80 and 110 ml/min from ferrocene and benzene during 1 h. The CNTs obtained were analyzed with a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) JSM-7600F. The degrees of crystallinity of the samples were obtained through X-ray diffraction (XRD). The lengths of the CNTs were 3-120 microns and average diameters were 29-72 nm. The highest yields of CNTs were obtained with a flow rate of 80 ml/min and temperature of 850 °C. The diagrams illustrate XRD diffraction peaks corresponding to crystalline phases of graphite, Fe α and cementite (Fe3C). The average CNTs walls were calculated with the Scherrer equation. The CNTs obtained with 50 ml/min carrier flow present an average of 40-42 walls, 80 ml/min-of 33-39 walls and 110 ml/min of 30-34 walls. These facts allow suppose that with a greater flow decreases the number of walls.