Effect of adding W to Fe catalyst on the synthesis of SWCNTs by arc discharge

Combining iron (Fe) and tungsten (W) as a bimetallic catalyst, we synthesized high-yield single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of narrow diameter distribution by a hydrogen–argon arc discharge method. Raman spectra indicate that the diameters of SWCNTs prepared using the Fe–W catalysts are about 0.5 nm smaller than those using Fe catalyst alone. The transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies show that the SWCNTs prepared by the bimetallic catalyst coexist with few graphite flakes and other amorphous carbon. At the W content of 2–4 at%, tungsten cannot be found in the SWCNT samples. Thus by using a simple two-step purification process, high-purity SWCNT samples can be obtained. We have demonstrated the growth mechanism for the high melting metal (such as W, Mo)–Fe catalyst synthesis of SWCNTs by the arc discharge method.