Forming multiwalled carbon nanotubes by the thermal decomposition of Mo(CO)6

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been obtained by decomposing molybdenum hexacarbonyl under air or argon in a closed cell. In addition to the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), Mo2C was obtained. A high percentage of CNT was obtained from only a few graphitic carbon particles. Our proposed mechanism suggests that CNT is formed via the Boudard reaction as well as by the reduction of CO by Mo.