Influence of the solution temperature on carbon nanotube formation by arc discharge method

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent an important group of nanomaterials with attractive geometrical, electrical and chemical properties and are synthesised using a variety of techniques. In this study, CNTs are fabricated by arc discharge in liquid with a fully automatic setup, while this system is equipped with a heat exchange system. This fully automatic setup enables the controlling of gap between the two electrodes and temperature of the media. Furthermore, this system can cool down the solution that is heated due to arc and keep the temperature of solution constant during the arc discharge. The temperature of the solution affects the synthesising and structuring of CNTs. In this study, CNTs are fabricated between two graphite electrodes, which are submerged in LiCl (0.25 N) and with a voltage of 25 V, while Ni and Mo are used as catalysts. For comparative study, CNTs are synthesised under different thermal conditions, below zero, at environment temperature and at high temperature (up to 80°C), and the results are analysed, compared and discussed. The scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy are employed to study the morphology of these carbon nanostructures. The general impact of the solution temperature upon nanoproduct structures will be discussed.