Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes by a fluidized-bed method

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been successfully synthesized using a fluidized-bed method that involves fluidization of a catalyst/support at high temperatures by a hydrocarbon flow. When nickel-nitrate coated silica–gel particles and methane were used, SWNTs were found to grow densely on the entire surface of the support particles at 760 °C, as revealed by Raman spectrometry and SEM analysis. This approach offers multiple advantages over the common fixed bed process, such as uniform gas-solid mixture and avoidance of catalyst particle sintering, and shows promise for the large-scale, potentially continuous, production of SWNTs, at high yield.