The influence of ethylene chemical vapor deposition synthesis to metal nanoparticles conditions on the yield and structure of obtained carbon nanotubes

Ethylene was successfully used as carbon source for synthesis of multi-wall carbon nanotubes by chemical catalytic vapor deposition over Ni nanoparticles prepared by decomposition and reduction of Ni(NO3)2 at mild conditions. The yield of purified carbon nanotubes is about 1.8 g per gram of catalyst per hour. The active phase for growing carbon nanotubes was formed in situ via reduction of Ni(NO3)2 by hydrogen at 450-500 degree C followed by decomposition of ethylene-containing gaseous mixture at temperature of 750 degree C.