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Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Growth of carbon nanostructures using a Pd-based catalyst
Rodrigo A Segura1, Samuel Hevia, Patricio Häberle
1Departamento de Química y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|March 15, 2012
Summary
Researchers synthesized carbon nanostructures using Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Hydrogen addition significantly impacts nanostructure morphology and graphitization, with optimal conditions yielding high-quality carbon nanotubes and nanofibers.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Catalysis
Background:
- Carbon nanostructures possess unique properties, driving research into their synthesis.
- Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) is a key technique for producing various carbon nanomaterials.
- Palladium catalysts on alumina supports are effective for carbon nanostructure formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of experimental conditions on carbon nanostructure synthesis via CVD.
- To determine the role of hydrogen in controlling the morphology and graphitization of carbon nanostructures.
- To identify optimal conditions for producing highly graphitized carbon nanotubes and nanofibers.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of carbon nanostructures using Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) over Pd/Al2O3 catalyst.
- Variation of experimental parameters: temperature ramping rate, pre-annealing, hydrogen pre-treatment, synthesis temperature and time, carbon source.
- Characterization of synthesized materials using High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Raman Spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Diverse carbon nanostructures obtained, including straight, coiled, and branched nanotubes and nanofibers.
- Absence of hydrogen during acetylene decomposition resulted in carbon microspheres.
- Increasing hydrogen flow transformed thick fibers into carbon nanotubes.
- Optimal conditions for highly graphitized carbon nanotubes: acetylene decomposition at 800°C with 100 cc/min hydrogen.
- Optimal conditions for highly graphitized nanofibers: methane decomposition at 850°C with similar hydrogen flow.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogen plays a critical role in directing the morphology and graphitization of carbon nanostructures during CVD.
- Specific CVD parameters, particularly hydrogen flow, enable tailored synthesis of high-quality carbon nanotubes and nanofibers.
- The study provides insights into optimizing catalyst performance for controlled carbon nanostructure production.
