Purification of carbon nanotubes synthesized by catalytic decomposition of methane using bimetallic Fe-Co catalysts supported on MgO

Abstract

This work reports the synthesis of carbon nanotubes by catalytic decomposition of methane using bimetallic Fe-Co catalysts supported on MgO. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show the as-prepared carbon nanotubes are multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with diameter in the range of 15nm to 45nm. Purification of as-prepared MWCNTs was carried out by acid and heat treatment method. EDX results show the Fe, Co and MgO catalysts were successfully removed by refluxing the as-prepared MWCNTs in 3M H 2SO4.