Synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes from alcohol using Fe/Co, Mo/Co, Rh/Pd catalysts

Using alcohol catalytic chemical vapor deposition technique, the relationships among catalyst species, alcohol and synthesis temperature have been investigated in the temperature range from 600 to 1000 °C. In this experiment molybdenum–cobalt functions best as a catalyst among the three catalysts (iron–cobalt, Fe/Co; molybdenum–cobalt, Mo/Co; rhodium–palladium, Rh/Pd), for ethanol. A similar temperature dependency has been observed for both Fe/Co and Mo/Co catalysts; however, different chiral indices have been synthesized. In case of methanol, Mo/Co can work less efficiently than Fe/Co.