Bulk production of quasi-aligned carbon nanotube bundles by the catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) method

The large-scale production of quasi-aligned carbon nanotube bundles is reported. The method includes catalytic decomposition of acetylene over well-dispersed metal particles embedded in commercially available zeolite at a lower temperature (700 degrees C). In-depth studies of this nanotube through scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal their homogeneity as well as perfect graphitization, along with inner (2.5-4 nm) and outer diameters (10-12 nm) of the tubes. Details of the optimum conditions for producing these nanotubes are also described. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.