Growth mechanisms and diameter evolution of single wall carbon nanotubes

We investigate the growth mechanisms of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs ) produced by the solar method as a function of the nature of catalysts and the temperature variation in the condensing area. The Raman spectra clearl y show differences in SWNT diameters induced by the change of catalyst wher eas TEM pictures enhance the change of both length and diameter of the bund les. All the results are explained considering that the formation temperatu re range of SWNTs is the key parameter related to the target sublimation te mperature and to the eutectic temperature of the binary phase diagram. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. Al rights reserved.