Pyrolytic synthesis of long strands of large diameter single-walled carbon nanotubes at atmospheric pressure in the absence of sulphur and hydrogen

Defect-induced junctions between single- or double-wall carbon nanotubes and metal crystals

Interfaces between the ends of single- or double-wall carbon nanotubes and metal crystals (Fe, Co, Pd, and Pt) are established by electron irradiation with nanometre precision at metal-nanotube contact areas. Calculations of the bonding energies at the metal-nanotube interfaces confirm that the formation of these covalent junctions is energetically favourable in the presence of a certain concentration of structural defects in the nanotubes. The process may be endothermic or exothermic in comparison with the unconnected configuration, but in either case atomic defects in carbon nanotubes are a necessary condition for joining them with metals.

Synthesis Methods of Carbon Nanotubes and Related Materials

The challenge on carbon nanotubes is still the subject of many research groups. While in the first years the focus was on the new synthesis methods, new carbon sources and support materials, recently, the application possibilities are the principal arguments of the studies. The three main synthesis methods discussed in this review are the arc discharge, the laser ablation and the chemical vapour deposition (CVD) with a special regard to the latter one. In the early stage of the nanotube production the first two methods were utilized mainly for the production of SWNTs while the third one produced mainly MWNTs. The principle of CVD is the decomposition of various hydrocarbons over transition metal supported catalyst. Single-walled (SWNT), multi-walled (MWNT) and coiled carbon nanotubes are produced. In some case, interesting carbonaceous materials are formed during the synthesis process, such as bamboo-like tubes, onions, horn-like structures. In this paper, we refer to the progresses made in the field of the synthesis techniques of carbon nanotubes in the last decade.

Chemical vapor deposition synthesis of N-, P-, and Si-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes

Here we report the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotube bundles by chemical vapor deposition in the presence of electron donor elements (N, P, and Si). In order to introduce each dopant into the graphitic carbon lattice, different precursors containing the doping elements (benzylamine, pyrazine, triphenylphosphine, and methoxytrimethylsilane) were added at various concentrations into ethanol/ferrocene solutions. The synthesized nanotubes and byproduct were characterized by electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Our results reveal intrinsic structural and electronic differences for the N-, P-, and Si- doped nanotubes. These tubes can now be tested for the fabrication of electronic nanodevices, and their performance can be observed.

Thermal Decomposition of Ferrocene as a Method for Production of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes without Additional Carbon Sources

A new method to grow bulk quantities of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by a catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process with the possibility of varying the pressure has been developed and is reported in this paper. Thermal decomposition of ferrocene provides both catalytic particles and carbon sources for SWCNT growth using Ar as a carrier gas. Upon an increase in the pressure, the mean diameter of the SWCNTs decreases. In fact, high abundances of SWCNT with diameters as small as 0.7 nm, which is the limit for stable caps with isolated pentagons, can be obtained. An additional advantage of this method is that as no external carbon sources are required, SWCNT synthesis can be achieved at temperatures as low as 650 degrees C.

Carbon Nanotubes as High-Pressure Cylinders and Nanoextruders

Closed-shell carbon nanostructures, such as carbon onions, have been shown to act as self-contracting high-pressure cells under electron irradiation. We report that controlled irradiation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes can cause large pressure buildup within the nanotube cores that can plastically deform, extrude, and break solid materials that are encapsulated inside the core. We further showed by atomistic simulations that the internal pressure inside nanotubes can reach values higher than 40 gigapascals. Nanotubes can thus be used as robust nanoscale jigs for extruding and deforming hard nanomaterials and for modifying their properties, as well as templates for the study of individual nanometer-sized crystals under high pressure.