Synthesis of carbon nanocapsules and carbon nanotubes by an acetylene flame method Original Research Article

The fabrication of carbon nanocapsules and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using an acetylene flame method was investigated. Carbon nanocapsules, a graphitic structure of nanoparticles with a hollow core, were synthesized using catalyst-free acetylene flames while CNTs were formed with the presence of cobalt-based catalysts in addition to acetylene flames. When the synthesis of these materials was carried out, the results showed that a massive amount of high-purity carbon nanocapsules with a particle size in the range of 15–30 nm can be produced with the acetylene flame method. The CNTs produced were multi-walled carbon nanotubes measuring a few micrometers in length and 20–30 nm in diameter. The acetylene flame method holds great potential for the cost-effective production of CNTs as well as carbon nanocapsules.