Carbon nanotube prepared by catalytic pyrolysis of methane

Abstract

Carbon nanotube can be produced by the catalytic pyrolysis of methane on Ni catalyst at 450 degrees C. TEM observation reveals that almost all the carbon filament produced by this method was in the form of tubular structure, Outer-diameter, length of the carbon nanotube as well as their productivity are governed by reaction temperature and the performance of the catalyst, The separation and purification of the carbon nanotube produced from the catalyst powder are easily performed by washing with aqueous solution of nitric acid followed by oven-drying at 200 degrees C; nearly all powder of the catalyst can be removed away and comparatively pure carbon nanotube can be obtained.