Preparation of carbon nanotubes by the Fe-Ni dual active metal catalyst

Carbon nanotubes(CNTs) were prepared by catalytic chemical vapor deposition using the Fe-Ni dual active metal catalyst made by citric acid complexation.The obtained CNTs morphology and the catalyst structure and component were characterized by the transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction,respectively.The research results showed that the obtained CNTs yield from the Fe-Ni dual active metal catalyst was clearly higher(about six or four times) than that from the single Fe or Ni as the catalyst.Especially,the CNTs yield had its maximum(2000% gCNTs/gcatalyst precursor·h) when the Fe atomic percentage is 75% in Fe and Ni atoms.The reasons may be that the Fe and Ni in dual active metal catalyst at high temperature come into being alloy and then enhance their catalysis results.