A parametric study on the synthesis of carbon nanotubes through arc-discharge in water.

A parametric study was carried out on a novel carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis using 'arc-discharge in solution' (ADS). The carbon nanostructure yield as a function of time, the rate of erosion of the anode, and the rate of deposition of carbonaceous materials on the cathode electrode were investigated. Amperage dependent normalized kinetic parameters were evaluated. The production rate of carbon nanostructures including CNTs at 75 A is as high as 5.89 ± 0.28 g min(-1). Thermogravimetric analysis and x-ray diffraction studies reveal high purity of the carbon nanostructures collected from water and have a very good agreement with electron microscopy analyses. Very high surface area of the pristine multiwalled CNTs and nanostructures (84 ± 3.5 m(2) g(-1)) was measured using BET. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis shows further agreement with the amperage dependent studies.