Evaporated Ethanol as Precursor for Carbon Nanotubes Synthesis

Abstract:

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were synthesized by using a simple evaporating method and a double furnace system. Ethanol was chosen as a carbon precursor because it has an evaporating temperature of 78 °C and was reported to produce a high purity of CNTs. Evaporated ethanol can be used as a precursor for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesis. Ethanol was evaporated at 80 °C and channeled directly into a double furnace system. Furnace 1 was maintained at 180 °C and furnace 2 was set at 700 °C, 800 °C and 900 °C. The CNTs were then characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Helical CNTs were observed at 700°C, webs of hollow tubes at 800 °C, and long tube structures at 900 °C based on FESEM. The diameter of CNTs that were synthesized ranged between 54 - 200 nm. Raman spectrum revealed that the G-band was 1590 cm^-1 and the D-band was about 1350 cm^-1. SWCNT was determined by RBM (radial breathing mode) to be between 200 - 300 raman shifts (cm^-1). The modified CVD (chemical vapor deposition) system set up in the present study is successfully used for large scale synthesis of CNTs from an aqueous precursor such as ethanol.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 832)
• Pages: 322-327
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.832.322
• Online since: November 2013
• Authors: Ismail Nurulhuda, R. Poh, M.Z. Mazatulikhma, Mohamad Rusop
• Keywords: Carbon Nanotube (CN), Ethanol, FESEM, Raman Spectroscopy, TGA

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