SWNT synthesis by carbon monoxide catalytic CVD (COCCVD) method

Abstract

A new technique of catalytic CVD growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is developed using a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen as carbon source and reaction enhancing agent at atmospheric pressure (COCCVD technique). High-quality SWNTs are produced on a quartz substrate dip-coated with Co and Mo bimetallic catalysts nanoparticles. A dramatically enhanced yield of SWNTs by mixing an equimolar amount of hydrogen to carbon monoxide was explained by a proposed mechanism based on the reaction thermodynamics. Contribution of the 'reverse water-gas reaction' and the 'reverse water-gas shift reaction' in addition to the Boudouard reaction is the key chemical reaction steps. Since this mixed gas is abundantly available in coal gasification plants and natural gas reforming plants, production of SWNTs in such plants can be proposed.