High Production of Carbon Nanotube Bundles with Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ Catalyst

Abstract:

In this study, Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared by using co-precipitation method. This catalyst weight was varied from 0.1 to 0.5 g and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) bundles were synthesized with ethylene as a carbon precursor at reaction temperature of 800°C by using floating catalytic chemical vapor deposition reactor. The grown MWCNTs bundles were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The obtained data revealed that as prepared CNTs actually existed in bundles and these should be attributed to the Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst, as transition metal Mo was not used in the catalyst. It was noted that an increase in weight of the catalyst significantly affects the quality, quantity, crystallinity, diameter and the growth of nanotubes bundles. Nanotubes yield increased with an increase in Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ weight. The carbon yield obtained with different weights of Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃ was ranging from 68-93%. However, the surface defects in the grown tubes were also increased with an increase in the catalyst weight. High purity and high yield with the low surface defects was found for 0.3 g catalyst. It was found that less value of I_D/I_G ratio (0.78) was obtained in case of 0.3 g catalyst which indicated the structural perfection and low defect levels. The average outer diameter of the grown CNTs bundles were ranged from 240 to 550 nm. The formation of CNTs bundles were found defective with few black spots and impure above and below the use of 0.3 g catalyst.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 695)
• Pages: 122-126
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.695.122
• Online since: November 2014
• Authors: Shazia Shukrullah*, Norani Muti Mohamed, Maizatul Shima Shaharun
• Keywords: Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), Fe₂O₃/Al₂O₃, Multiwall Carbon Nanotube

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