Synthesis and Characterization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Catalysts Prepared by The Supercritical Drying Method

The highly active Fe/Mo/Al2O3 catalyst with the large specific surface area was prepared by the supercritical drying method. The BET specific surface area of the as-prepared catalyst was increased from 294m2/g to 401m2/g. High quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were synthesized by catalytic decomposition of CH4/H2 at 1000℃ using the catalyst. SEM, TEM, HRTEM, TGA and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the SWNTs. The content of SWNTs in the product propared is over 30wt%, which is much higher than that by using the conventional drying method, i.e. 2wt%. The mean diameter of the as-prepared SWNTs is in 0.8-1.0nm and they are usually bundles.