Catalytic induced thermal conversion of amorphous carbon into single walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have caught extensive attention in the field of material science and electronics. Their formation typically uses plasma arc or CVD techniques [1-3]. So far, formation of SWCNTs just by thermal conversion of amorphous, non graphitic carbon which is a nearly ubiquitous carbon source is challenging but has not been reported so far. We herein demonstrate the catalytic growth of SWNTs from an amorphous carbon source (activated charcoal powder, 'Aktivkohle') mediated by three different catalytically active metals; metallic nickel, nickel derived from bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)nickel (nickelocene) and yttrium formed in situ from yttrium oxide. © 2008 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.