Formation of carbon material on iron catalyst during reaction with the vapour produced from the pyrolysis of sewage sludge: article

The study describes on catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) method for production carbon nanotube onto Fe-alumina supported catalyst. Sewage sludge was used as a carbon source. The objective of this study are to investigate the formation of carbon nanotube using iron metal catalyst in CCVD method between reduction and without reduction steps. Besides that, to identified the characterization of Fe-alumina catalyst. The catalyst and their support is prepared by using impregnation method technique. Characterization of iron-alumina catalyst was done by series of analysis before and after the process. Mass of catalyst sample, Thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA), and The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used as analyzer the formation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The TGA showed that the formation of amorphous carbon occurs at the initially stage and before 300oC. The higher yield of CNTs was produce in experiment 2 with spongy physical appearance carbon material. The FTIR analysis shows the hydroxyl group are present at early stage. Overall the uses of reduction step by allowing the hydrogen gas during reaction occurs increasing the probability of CNTs production.