Deposition of Carbon Nanotubes Using Spray Pyrolysis and Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition Techniques

Abstract

Deposition of carbon nanotubes using spray pyrolysis and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition techniques Fatma Abdel Mouez Elias Mohamed

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a tubular structure made of carbon atoms, having diameter ranges from 1-100 nm and length in micrometers. These properties are primarily determined by composition and are thus relatively easy to control. CNTs have a great potential application due to their low density, and high tensile strength (up to 60 GPa). In addition, the thermal conductivity for multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was found to be >3000 W/mK. CNTs attract much attention due to their participation in many fields of application such as electrical transport, hydrogen adsorption, catalysis, artificial muscles, mechanical reinforcement, fuel cells, field emission and computers.

Various methods have been developed for the production of CNTs, including arc discharge, pyrolysis, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Recently, the spray pyrolysis technique has attracted attention due to the possibility of producing CNTs on a commercial scale. The structure of CNTs is dependent on the growth parameters such as the reaction temperature, catalyst, reaction gas, and precursor. This motivates the scientists to study the factors affecting their synthesis. Nowadays, natural precursors such as eucalyptus oil, camphor powder, and palm tree have been used to replace the fossil based materials (like: methane, acetylene,