CATALYTIC GROWTH OF SINGLE-WALLED NANOTUBES BY LASER VAPORIZATION

Direct laser vaporization of transition-metal/graphite composite rods produced single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWT) in the condensing vapor in a heated flow tube. A much higher yield of nanotubes was found, wit h little of the amorphous overcoating on those produced by the metal-c atalyzed are-discharge method. A mixture of Co with Ni catalyzed about 50% of all the carbon vaporized to SWT. A model for SWT growth is pre sented for both the present case and the are in which the metal partic le size is limited due to the concurrent carbon condensation.