Premium
Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes Using Microwave Radiation
Author(s) -
Hong E.H.,
Lee K.H.,
Oh S.H.,
Park C.G.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.200304396
Subject(s) - materials science , carbon nanotube , high resolution transmission electron microscopy , carbon nanofiber , amorphous carbon , chemical engineering , catalysis , microwave , polycarbonate , carbon fibers , nanotechnology , nanoparticle , carbon nanotube supported catalyst , acetylene , absorption (acoustics) , transmission electron microscopy , amorphous solid , composite material , organic chemistry , composite number , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
We report a method for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by microwave irradiation. CNTs were successfully synthesized by microwave heating of the catalyst loaded on various supports such as carbon black, silica powder, or organic polymer substrates (Teflon and polycarbonate). Microwave (2.45 GHz, 800 W) irradiation used acetylene as a hydrocarbon source, and 3d transition metals and metal sulfides were used as the catalysts. Different carbon yields and morphologies were obtained depending on the reaction conditions. Fibrous nanocarbons—linear or Y‐branched—were observed as well as carbon nanoparticles and amorphous carbon. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed that these fibrous nanocarbons are either multiwalled CNTs or graphitic nanofibers (GNFs). This novel method has the potential to grow CNTs virtually on any substrate provided its absorption of microwave energy is small.