Investigation of carbon nanotube deposits and their formation conditions by an arc-plasma method in water

In a DC arc-plasma method, in deionized water, used to synthesize multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), hard deposits collected on the surface of the cathode are the main product rich in MWCNTs and they are easier to collect than the products collected in water. The top surface of the deposit bestrewed with column-shaped clumps also gives a hint as to potential applications of the field emission. In order to increase the yield of the deposits on the cathode surface, different parameters are used to investigate their formation. An auto-formed chamber between two electrodes during the arc discharge is found to have a determining effect on the formation of deposits on the cathode surface. Deposits are examined using SEM and TEM to investigate their structure and the CNTs in them.