Competitive Formation Zones in Carbon Nanotube Float-Catalysis Synthesis: Growth in Length vs. Growth Suppression.

Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNT) produces numerous various byproducts such as soot, graphite platelets, catalyst nanoparticles, etc. Identification of the byproduct formation mechanisms would help develop routes to more selective synthesis of better carbon-based materials. This work reports on the identification of the formation zone and conditions for rather unusual closed multishell carbon nanocapsules in a reactor for float-catalysis synthesis of longer CNT.

Epoxy Nanocomposites with Carbon Nanotubes Produced by Floating Catalyst CVD.

Epoxy nanocomposites with float catalysis-produced CNT felt as a filler were prepared. Parameters such as the curing process, glass transition of epoxynanocomposites, structure and morphology of CNT felt, initial epoxy composition, and epoxy nanocomposites were investigated. The influence of CNT felt on curing process in epoxy nanocomposites with different amounts of curing agent was determined.

Synthesis, Structure and Electrical Resistivity of Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized over Group VIII Metallocenes.

The paper reports the synthesis of carbon nanotubes from ethanol over group VIII (Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts derived from corresponding metallocenes. Several unexpected cooperative effects are reported, which are never observed in the case of individual metallocenes such as the commonly used ferrocene catalyst Fe(CH). The formation of very long (up to several µm) straight monocrystal metal kernels inside the carbon nanotubes was the most interesting effect.