Direct Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Nanotube Films Prepared by Premixed Ethanol Flame

Abstract:

Carbon nanotube (CNT) films were one-step catalytically synthesized on silicon substrates by the premixed ethanol flame (PEF). Ferric nitrate and copper nitrate with diverse concentrations, as catalyst precursors, were respectively dissolved into the absolute ethanol to form PEF which could simultaneously offer heat source, carbon source and catalysts. More CNT films were synthesized on silicon substrates when first placed between the core and inner flame and then moved into location between the inner and outer flame. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the morphologies of CNT films were greatly influenced by the catalyst precursors and locations of silicon substrates in PEF. CNT films synthesized by the copper nitrate PEF had a smaller tube diameter (~20 nm) and lower ratio of amorphous carbon (43.82%). The CNT yield increased along the concentration of catalyst precursors, but the graphitization degree decreased just the reverse. This approach had the potential of large-scale applications in solar cells and reinforced materials.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 479-481)
• Pages: 569-573
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.479-481.569
• Online since: February 2012
• Authors: Jiang Lei Lu, Guang Long Wang, Lian Feng Sun, Feng Qi Gao, Fang Yu, Hai Qing Zhou, Gang Wang
• Keywords: Carbon Nanotube (CN), Electron Microscopy, RAMAN, Spectroscopy, Thin Film

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