Carbon nanotube synthesis via ceramic catalysts

Abstract

The potential for ceramics as catalysts for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) formation exceed that of metal catalysts in that ceramics can serve not only as a catalyst particle for CNT nucleation/growth as found with metal catalyst, but they can also serve as a template for the synthesis of carbon nanostructures. They can only be purified more readily. Here we present studies on the growth of CNTs from ceramics in laser pyrolyses and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) routes. We show CNT growth from both nanowires and ceramic particles. In addition, doping of the CNTs an also be achieved through the use of ceramic catalysts. Since ceramic materials are easily removed from the as-produced samples as compared to metal catalysts, they are attractive for further application, e.g., in carbon-based electronics.