Manufacture of Carbon Multi-Walled Nanotubes by the Arc Discharge Technique

This study focuses on the manufacture of carbon nanotubes using the arc discharge method. Several independent variables were changed, such as the current (80 and 100 A), an atmosphere of open air or argon and the catalyst (no catalyst, Fe or a mixture of Fe/Co,Ni). Only one set of parameters yielded MWNTs, involving Fe as the catalyst and an open air atmosphere. I. INTRODUCTION There has been intensive research into the production of carbon nanotubes in recent years as they are novel nanoparticles with unique properties that promise advances in a diverse number of areas, such as electronics, reinforced composites, functionalised materials and biomedical applications. There are three main types of synthesis of carbon nanotubes: arc discharge, laser ablation and chemical vapour deposition. Table 1 presents some typical characteristics for each technique in terms of yield, whether they favour the production of single-walled (SWNTs) or multi-walled (MWNTs) and the nanotube diameter.