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Zeolite Nanosheets Stabilize Catalyst Particles to Promote the Growth of Thermodynamically Unfavorable, Small‐Diameter Carbon Nanotubes
Author(s) -
CarpenaNúñez Jennifer,
Rao Rahul,
Kim Donghun,
Bets Ksenia V.,
Zakharov Dmitri N.,
Boscoboinik J. Anibal,
Stach Eric A.,
Yakobson Boris I.,
Tsapatsis Michael,
Stacchiola Dario,
Maruyama Benji
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.202002120
Subject(s) - materials science , carbon nanotube , nanoparticle , catalysis , annealing (glass) , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , transmission electron microscopy , particle size , composite material , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
A challenge in the synthesis of single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is the lack of control over the formation and evolution of catalyst nanoparticles and the lack of control over their size or chirality. Here, zeolite MFI nanosheets (MFI‐Ns) are used to keep cobalt (Co) nanoparticles stable during prolonged annealing conditions. Environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) shows that the MFI‐Ns can influence the size and shape of nanoparticles via particle/support registry, which leads to the preferential docking of nanoparticles to four or fewer pores and to the regulation of the SWCNT synthesis products. The resulting SWCNT population exhibits a narrow diameter distribution and SWCNTs of nearly all chiral angles, including sub‐nm zigzag (ZZ) and near‐ZZ tubes. Theoretical simulations reveal that the growth of these unfavorable tubes from unsupported catalysts leads to the rapid encapsulation of catalyst nanoparticles bearing them; their presence in the growth products suggests that the MFI‐Ns prevent nanoparticle encapsulation and prologue ZZ and near‐ZZ SWCNT growth. These results thus present a path forward for controlling nanoparticle formation and evolution, for achieving size‐ and shape‐selectivity at high temperature, and for controlling SWCNT synthesis.