Optimization of catalytic production and purification of buckytubes

Carbon nanotubes were produced in large amounts by catalytic decomposition of acetylene in the presence of supported Co and Fe catalysts. The influence of various parameters such as the way of catalyst preparation, the nature of the support, the size of active metal particles, and the reaction conditions on the buckytube formation was studied. The process was optimized towards the large-scale production of buckytubes having the same diameters as the fullerene nanotubes obtained from the are-discharge method. The separation of the buckytubes from the catalyst was also achieved.