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This paper presents our recent success in synthesizing
carbon nanotubes in powder form. The method adopted involved
thermal chemical vapour deposition (CVD) using catalysts
such as nickel (Ni, cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe). Measurements
on the diameter of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been
conducted using surface analysis software on the image
derived from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was
observed that the average diameter of CNTs follows the order
of Fe> Co> Ni. This outcome is attributed to the effect of
the particle size of the catalyst, which is in the same
order before the synthesis. The morphologies of CNTs are
almost the same regardless of the catalyst used. However, on
closer examination, CNTs grown from Fe exhibit a fairly
straight structure compared to the ones grown from Ni and Co
where curled and even some helical nanotubes have been
identified. Results obtained imply that the structure and
size of CNTs can be determined by the selection of the
catalyst.
Keywords:
Catalysts, chemical vapour deposition (CVD), carbon
nanotubes (CNTs), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). |
