Synthesis of carbon nanotubes from acetone

• Published in: Theoretical foundations of chemical engineering Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 435 - 443
• Main Authors: Melezhik, A. V., Smykov, M. A., Filatova, E. Yu, Shuklinov, A. V., Stolyarov, R. A., Larionova, I. S., Tkachov, A. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.07.2013
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology; carbon nanotubes; acetone; ketene
• ISSN: 0040-5795; 1608-3431
• DOI: 10.1134/S0040579513040131

The process of synthesizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using the method of catalytic gas-phase pyrolysis has been studied using acetone as a source of carbon. CNTs with outer diameters of 8–10 nm were prepared. The highest yield of the CNTs with the best quality is achieved when (Co, Mo)/MgO-Al 2 O 3 catalyst is used. When (Fe, Co, Mo)/Al 2 O 3 is used, the yield and quality of CNTs are lower. For comparison, CNTs obtained on the same catalysts but with propylene as the source of carbon have been investigated. It has been shown that, in this case, the best yield is achieved if (Fe, Co, Mo)/Al 2 O 3 catalyst is used. According to the thermogravimetric data, CNT prepared at optimal conditions from acetone have fewer structural defects than those prepared from polypropylene. The optimal temperature and concentration conditions of the CNT synthesis from acetone have been determined. Based on the kinetic data, it has been assumed that the growth of CNTs takes place due to the ketene formed under the thermal decomposition of acetone. The ecological aspects of the CNT preparation from hydrocarbons and acetone are considered.