The role of free radical condensates in the production of carbon nanotubes during the hydrocarbon CVD process

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Carbon

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2006.01.018· OSTI ID:978195

Reilly, Pete ^[1]; Whitten, William B ^[1]

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1. ORNL

Hydrocarbon CVD synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is not well understood because it does not follow intuitive gas phase kinetics. Consequently, progress towards industrialization of CNT synthesis has been arduously slow. However, an intuitive understanding of the CNT CVD process can be gained through understanding of the chemistry of free radical condensates that are produced during the pyrolysis of any hydrocarbon. It is our contention that free radical condensates act as an intermediate and reaction medium for hydrocarbon-based CVD production of nanotubes. The insight gained from this understanding can be used to explain much of the literature and to coherently direct the efforts to industrialize the CVD process and produce higher quality nanotubes for materials research and commercial exploitation.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: ORNL LDRD Director's R&D
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 978195
• Journal Information: Carbon, Journal Name: Carbon Journal Issue: 2006 Vol. 44; ISSN 0008-6223; ISSN CRBNAH
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
CONDENSATES
HYDROCARBONS
NANOTUBES
PYROLYSIS
RADICALS
REACTION INTERMEDIATES
SYNTHESIS
carbon nanotubes
chemical vapor deposition
fullerene
pyrolysis
soot