Modeling of the anodic arc discharge and conditions for single-wall carbon nanotube growth

A model of the arc discharge used for a single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) synthesis is developed. Coupling solution of the non-equilibrium, Knudsen layer, with hydrodynamic layer and discharge column provides self-consistent solution for the ablation rate and plasma parameter distribution. It is predicted that the interelectrode gap decreases with the background pressure increase. Conditions for single wall carbon nanotube formation in the arc discharge method of nanotube synthesis are described. Carbon nanotube seed formation and charging in the interelectrode gap are found to be very important effects that may alter carbon nanotube formation in the cathode region. This model predicts that the long carbon nanotubes in the high pressure Helium environment can be deposited on the cathode surface. Model predictions are found to be in agreement with experiment.