Templated Growth of Carbon Nanotubes on Nickel Loaded Mesoporous MCM-41 and MCM-48 Molecular Sieves

Chemical vapor deposition was employed to synthesize carbon nanotubes with Ni-loaded MCM-41 and MCM-48 as catalysts and acetylene as precursor at 750°C. Mesoporous Ni MCM-41 and Ni MCM-48 molecular sieves were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and were characterized by XRD and N2 adsorption isotherm. The catalytically synthesized carbon materials were characterized with Raman spectroscopy, N2 adsorption isotherm, SEM and TEM. The experimental results indicated that the deposited carbon materials by acetylene decomposition were slightly more in the Ni MCM-41 framework than in Ni MCM-48. Furthermore, the diameter distribution of the well-ordered grown multi wall carbon nanotubes has direct relation with their silicate frameworks.