SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBON NANO TUBES (CNTS)

Abstract

The aim of this research work was to synthesize and characterize Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs) using catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbon gas (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). The yield of CNTs was optimized by varying experimental parameters. A detailed literature review was done to understand nano size particles, its properties, production and applications. Nano materials, its mechanics, manufacturing technologies and techniques have made significant improvements over the years in industrialized countries. Nano mechanics and technologies have its applications in all the latest fields of industrial era varying from nano electrical and mechanical devices to human sciences and Space applications. One of the latest fields of nano mechanics is the nano manufacturing technology. Nano processing also involves manufacturing of nano-particles, nano-wires, nano-carbon tubes and PVD coatings etc. A number of experiments were performed to check the yield of CNTs for different hydrogen-LPG ratio and chamber temperatures. Different parameters yielded CNTs and amorphous carbons. CNTs and amorphous carbon are identical in appearance in the form of black powder. In order to distinguish them a detailed characterization was performed with the help of modern techniques such as XRD, SEM, EDX, AFM and TEM. The XRD was conducted to find the presence of crystalline structure of graphite, since CNTs are graphitic in nature. The samples were visually inspected by SEM to determine the diameter and general structure (straight, tangled or noodle like). The diameter of CNTs was precisely measured by AFM. To determine the number of walls of CNTs TEM was used. Economical analysis was conducted to compare the cost of production of CNTs to the market price. The economic analysis showed that the CNTs in the market were four times more expensive than the ones produced in this research.