Synthesis of thin bundled single walled carbon nanotubes and nanohorn hybrids by arc discharge technique in open air atmosphere

Cost-effective synthesis of single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and single walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH) hybrids, in a single step, by electric arc discharge technique in open air, at lower current densities is reported. The rate of production of the hybrids is 3-5 g/h. The presence of SWCNTs and SWCNHs is confirmed by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). In addition to conventional larger Dahlia-like aggregates of nanohorns, unique nearly-spherical shaped and relatively smaller sized aggregates (mean size similar to 25 nm) of nanohorns are formed along with thin bundles (mean diameter similar to 5.7 nm) of SWCNTs. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.