Surface morphology studies of carbon nanotubes prepared by Thermal-CVD of palm oil / Helena Limbang

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were produced on silicon (Si) substrate prepared by Thermal-CVD method using C55H96O6 (Palm Oil) as a starting material. Catalyst has been prepared by dissolving Nickel (II) nitrate, Ni (N03)2.6HiO and ethyl alcohol, C2H50H. Then, the catalyst was stir using magnetic stirrer for one day to dissolve the mixture. Mixture was drop on silicon by using spin coater. The parameter of the catalyst is different temperature. By using Thermal-CVD, samples were penetrated using NH3 (argon) gas at a temperature 700-900 ° C for catalyst and 450 ° C for palm oil. CNTs product were also characterized by using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) . The size and type of catalysts will affect the morphology and yields of CNTs. CNTs growths were depending on the location of catalyst on Si substrate. FESEM was used to study the surface morphology and uniformity of CNTs while FTIR used to study the chemical properties. Based on FESEM measurement, at the lower temperature, CNTs were found in form of clusters. At the higher temperature of 800 to 900° C , there was yielded amorphous carbon surrounding CNTs and CNTs were not fully growth on Si substrate. Most uniform CNTs were found at temperature 700°C. The range of FTIR analysis is 450 to 4500cm"1 .FTIR analysis shows that the characteristic vibrational modes of CNT, C=C apparent at peak 1451 to 1599cm"1. Peak at 1109 cm"1 is consistent with C-N stretching vibrations due to catalyst. A study was observed that the CNTs were produced at peak 1451cm"1.