Fluidized-bed synthesis of sub-millimeter-long single walled carbon nanotube arrays

Dong Young Kim, Hisashi Sugime, Kei Hasegawa, Toshio Osawa, Suguru Noda*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The rapid growth method for vertically aligned, single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) arrays on flat substrates was applied to a fluidized-bed, using ceramic beads as catalyst supports as a means to mass produce sub-millimeter-long SWCNT arrays. Fe/Al 2O x catalysts were deposited on the surface of Al 2O 3 beads by sputtering and SWCNTs were grown on the beads by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using C 2H 2 as a feedstock. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that SWCNTs of 2-4 nm in diameter grew and formed vertically aligned arrays of 0.5 mm in height. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the SWCNTs had a catalyst impurity level below 1 wt.%. Furthermore, they were synthesized at a carbon yield as high as 65 at.% with a gas residence time as short as <0.2 s. Our fluidized-bed CVD, which efficiently utilizes the three-dimensional space of the reactor volume while retaining the characteristics of SWCNTs on substrates, is a promising option for mass-production of high-purity, sub-millimeter-long SWCNT arrays.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1538-1545
Number of pages8
JournalCarbon
Volume50
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012 Apr
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Materials Science(all)

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