Chemisorbed nickel catalyst for the production of SWCNTs with a very narrow size distribution. Issue 12 (27th November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Devaux, Xavier; Tsareva, Svetlana Yu.; Carteret, Cédric; Dossot, Manuel; Grégoire, Brian; Humbert, Bernard; Mevellec, Jean‐Yves; McRae, Edward; Aranda, Lionel; Lamouroux, Emanuel; Fort, Yves
• Is Part Of: Physica status solidi. Volume 250:Issue 12(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 2581
• Page End: 2585
• Publication Date: 2013-11-27
• Subjects: Solid state physics -- Periodicals; Solids -- Periodicals; Atomic structure -- Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1002/pssb.201300090
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0370-1972

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="pssb201300090-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p>The synthesis of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with the narrowest possible diameter distribution is a challenging undertaking in carbon nanoscience, which can be overcome through the fabrication of monodisperse catalytic nanoparticles. A technique is presented here to approach the diameter control of SWCNTs using a chemisorbed nickel acetylacetonate monolayer at the surface of silica. We show by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectroscopy that a monolayer of nickel acetylacetonate is anchored with the silanol groups at the surface of the substrate. After thermal decomposition, the nickel remains bonded with these silanol groups, resulting in a good dispersion of the nickel over the silica surface. Using this catalyst, SWCNTs with a narrow diameter distribution were synthesized at moderate temperature. This opens new perspectives for the fabrication of uniform‐diameter carbon nanotubes.</p> </sec> </abstract>