Aligned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Synthesis for Device Design
Abstract
This project was highly successful demonstrating control of carbon nanotube diameter through control of the synthesis process. Mean tube diameter can be preselected from 0.5 to 0.9nm. A sample predominantly semiconducting with two main tubes (7,5 and 8,3), and a sample of smaller (0.5-0.6nm) and mainly metallic tubes were produced. The process also laid the ground for production of the first pure boron nanotubes. In our SWNT synthesis experiments using CO disproportionation at 6 atm and lower pressures, the Co-MCM-41 and Ni-MCM-41 catalysts produced more than 90% selectivity to SWNT with increasing yields as the pressure is increased. The key advantage of our technique is the incorporation of metals into the pore wall of the template, which allows ultra-small metal clusters to be formed and stabilized. These clusters then initiate the growth of highly uniform diameter SWNT. Examples of uniform small diameter SWNT formed with two of our catalysts are shown in Figure 1 below.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA431685
Entities
People
- G. L. Haller
- L. D. Pfefferle
- Mark Reed
Organizations
- Yale University