Carbon nanotubes growth from camphoric carbon sources using transition metal catalysts / Azira Abd Aziz

This thesis covers the analysis of catalytic growth of
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) under well-defined conditions,
the optimization of the catalyst and introduces model
for the growth mechanism based on the experimental
results. Experimental investigations are presented to
obtain a comprehensive picture on the catalytic growth
of CNTs. The overall aim of this thesis is to deposit CNTs
by the seeded catalyst method and the modified fluidized
floating catalyst method by Chemical Vapour Deposition
(CVD) and to investigate the effects of starting material
and catalysts on the morphology and structure of the
deposited CNTs. Camphor (C10H16O, crystalline state) and
camphor oil (liquid state) are the precursor materials used
as the source of CNTs. Transition metal (Fe, Ni, Co, Mn,
Al, Mg) catalysts were prepared and the effect on their
catalytic behavior were studied. Metal catalysts have
been prepared by sol-gel method with or without support
catalyst. Correlation between the catalyst particle size
and CNT diameter has been the motivation to reduce the
catalyst particle size down to nanoparticle size.