Modification of tubular ceramic membranes with carbon nanotubes using catalytic chemical vapor deposition.

In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were successfully grown on tubular ceramic membranes using the catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) method. CNTs were synthesized at 650°C for 3-6 h under a 120 mL min(-1) flow of C2H6 on ceramic membranes impregnated with iron salt. The synthesis procedure was beforehand optimized in terms of catalyst amount, impregnation duration and reaction temperature, using small pieces of tubular ceramic membranes.

Efficient and robust reforming catalyst in severe reaction conditions by nanoprecursor reduction in confined space.

The in situ autocombustion synthesis route is shown to be an easy and efficient way to produce nanoscaled nickel oxide containing lanthanum-doped mesoporous silica composite. Through this approach, ~3 nm NiO particles homogeneously dispersed in the pores of silica are obtained, while lanthanum is observed to cover the surface of the silica pore wall. Subsequent reduction of such composite precursors under hydrogen generates Ni(0) nanoparticles of a comparable size.

Intershell spacing changes in MWCNT induced by metal-CNT interactions.

The intershell spacing in different regions of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was determined by analysis of high resolution transmission electron (HR-TEM) micrographs. Three general effects can be pointed out, (1) the regular intershell spacing of a CNT is bigger than that in a graphitic carbon because the curvature generates geometrical and electronic deformations which increase repulsion forces between the graphene sheets, (2) when an extra curvature appears, e.g.