Controlling the dimensions, reactivity and crystallinity of multiwalled carbon nanotubes using low ethanol concentrations

• Published in: Chemical physics letters Vol. 453; no. 1; pp. 55 - 61
• Main Authors: Botello-Méndez, Andrés, Campos-Delgado, Jessica, Morelos-Gómez, Aarón, Romo-Herrera, José M., Rodríguez, Ángel G., Navarro, Hugo, Vidal, Miguel A., Terrones, Humberto, Terrones, Mauricio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2008
• ISSN: 0009-2614; 1873-4448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2007.12.073

A systematic study related to the incorporation of ethanol in the thermolytic synthesis carbon nanotubes is presented. We demonstrate that low concentrations of ethanol can control the length and diameter as well as the crystalline quality of the produced nanotubes. We study the role of ethanol in the thermolytic synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. We show that low concentrations of ethanol control the length and diameter, as well as the crystalline quality of the produced nanotubes. We statistically evaluated the dimensions of the tubes as the concentration of ethanol is increased. The quality of the samples results in more crystalline products when low concentrations of ethanol (∼1–2%) are used in the experiments. In addition, the introduction of ethanol during the synthesis seems to incorporate coordination groups on the surface of nanotubes that cause an enhanced reactivity and a better solubility.