Synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by plasma enhanced microwave CVD using colloidal form of iron oxide as a catalyst

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were discovered in 1991 by Sumio Iijima of NEC Corporation, Japan. They are rolled up sheets of graphene and have structure resembling that of an elongated fullerene molecule. Because of their potential in scientific and technological applications in various fields, they are investigated extensively in the past decade and the field is still active. Some of the applications of carbon nanotubes include advanced nanocomposites, conducting polymers, tips for scanning probe microscopy, flat panel displays, hydrogen storage, MEMS, NEMS, nanoelectronics, and nanocircuits. They posses excellent mechanical, thermal, optical, and electronic properties. In this investigation plasma enhanced microwave CVD technique is used to synthesize carbon nanotubes using colloidal form of iron oxide as a catalyst. Various process parameters and experimental conditions are varied to obtain vertically aligned nanotubes with fewer impurities and superior yield. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...