Precise Catalyst Production for Carbon Nanotube Synthesis with Targeted Structure Enrichment

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202008.0673.v1
• Publication Date: 2020-08-31T15:32:01Z
• Authors: Xiao Zhang; Ying Deng; Brian Graves; Michael De Volder; Adam Boies
• Keywords: Dispersity; Chirality; Stoichiometry

The direct growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a narrow distribution diameter or chirality remains elusive despite significant benefits in properties and applications. Nanoparticle catalysts are vital for SWCNT synthesis, but how to precisely manipulate their chemistry, size, concentration, deposition difficult, especially within continuous production process from the gas-phase. Here, we demonstrate preparation W6Co7 alloyed nanoparticle tunable stoichiometry using electrospray, which remain solid state during growth. We also liquid iron nanoparticles in-line size selection. With precise manipulation range 1-5 nm, nearly monodisperse (σ_g < 1.2), an excellent selection can be achieved. All presented techniques show great potential facilitate realization single-chirality production.