Large-scale rooted growth of aligned super bundles of single-walled carbonnanotubes using a directed arc plasma method

We have modified the conventional arc-discharge method for the production o f single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by using a bowl-shaped cathode tha t can direct the are plasma in a specified direction and using a combinatio n of cobalt, nickel, iron and cerium as an efficient catalyst, with sulfur as a promoter and tin as a nanowelding element. Under optimized conditions, SWNT super bundles can be efficiently produced with carbon-to-tube yields of over 70%. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.