Metal nanoparticles for the production of carbon nanotube composite materials by decomposition of different carbon sources

Carbon nanotube composite materials were produced by catalytic decomposition of gaseous carbon sources (such as carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons) on nanometer-size metal clusters of iron, cobalt and nickel embedded in matrices of inert metal oxide particles. The resulting multiwalled carbon nanotubes are several micrometers long with tube diameters ranging from 5 to 20 nm. A fluidised bed reactor was developed for a large-scale synthesis of the carbon nanotube/metal oxide composite (CMC) material. Hydrogen storage capacities of these materials were tested by volumetric and electrochemical methods. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.