Synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes by millisecond-pulsed CO2 laser vaporization at room temperature

Synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was carried out by irradiating a graphite–Co/Ni target at room temperature with CO2 laser pulses with durations of 1–20 ms. The length and bundle structure of SWNTs depended on the pulse duration. Most of the SWNTs formed by 1 ms laser pulses were individual tubes only 30–70 nm long. We discuss the growth dynamics of individual and bundled SWNTs based on the successive formation of metal nucleation sites in carbon–metal composite particles.