A novel method to produce carbon nanotubes using EDM process

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been used in various fields of research due to their unique properties. There are various methods such as arc discharge, laser ablation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), template-directed synthesis and the use of the growth of CNTs in the presence of catalyst particles. Special ambient gas is required for the fabrication of CNTs, in order to prevent the oxidation of carbon at high temperature. In this study, we developed a simple, fast and low cost method in which CNTs can be fabrication by single-pulse discharge with low energy in air. The single-pulse discharge system was designed to adjust the peak current and pulse duration. A graphite rod electrode generated an electric arc between electrode and the substrate at a distance of I pm. A promising result was obtained by using single-pulse discharge with a pulse duration of 1000 mu s and peak current of 2.5A: that is, many CNTs grew on the substrate under these conditions. This method can overcome the limitations of the special ambient gas and enable the fabrication of CNTs at a selected location on the substrate. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.