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 repo rted. The method includes catalytic decomposition of acetylene over well-di spersed metal particles embedded in commercially available zeolite at a low er temperature (700 degrees C). In-depth studies of this nanotube through s canning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal the ir homogeneity as well as perfect graphitization, along with inner (2.5-4 n m) and outer diameters (10-12 nm) of the tubes. Details of the optimum cond itions for producing these nanotubes are also described. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.