Single-wall carbon nanotubes synthesis by means of UV laser vaporization

We report on the synthesis of carbon single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs) produced for the first time by means of pulsed UV laser vaporization. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Raman spectroscopy have revealed that the produced nanotubes have a narrow diameter distribution and are self-organized into bundles having diameters in the (15-20) nm range. It is also shown that carbon SWNTs can be grown at a furnace temperature as low as 550 C. At this latter temperature, the SWNTs yield is lower than at 1150 C and the nanotubes were found to be characterized by a broader diameter distribution and a smaller bundle diameter. Finally, the increase of the laser repetition rate from 30 to 150 Hz was found to lead to a higher yield of SWNTs and larger bundles. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved..