Bulk production of quasi-aligned carbon nanotube bundles by the catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) method

The large-scale production of quasi-aligned carbon nanotube bundles is reported. The method includes catalytic decomposition of acetylene over well-dispersed metal particles embedded in commercially available zeolite at a lower temperature (700°C). In-depth studies of this nanotube through scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal their homogeneity as well as perfect graphitization, along with inner (2.5–4 nm) and outer diameters (10–12 nm) of the tubes. Details of the optimum conditions for producing these nanotubes are also described.