High-yield production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by catalytic decomposition of benzene vapor

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been synthesized on gamma -Al2O3 supported unitary, binary or trinity metal (Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts with benz ene as carbon source in the range of 600 to 810 degreesC. The growth of ONT s was carried out in a fixed bed flow reactor and the quality of carbon dep osits was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The preparatio n was optimized and the high-yield production of CNTs has been achieved for three mixture catalysts with the yield of high-quality CNTs higher than 20 0% within 60 min, reaching a maximum of 278% for 1.51 mmol/g Fe-1.51 mmol/g Co/gamma -Al2O3 catalyst. This provides a good alternative for future larg e scale and low cost production of CNTs for applications.