Synthesis and characterization of long strands of nitrogen-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes

We describe the synthesis of N-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes (N-SWNTs), that agglomerate in bundles and form long strands (< 10 cm), via the thermal decomposition of ferrocene/ethanol/benzylamine (FEB) solutions in an Ar atmosphere at 950 degrees C. The amount of benzylamine in the solution was varied from 0% to 26% by weight. Using Raman spectroscopy, we noted that as the N content is increased in the starting FEB solution, the growth of large diameter tubes is inhibited. We observed that the relative electrical conductivity of the strands increases with increasing nitrogen concentration. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed novel features for highly doped tubes that are related to chemical reactions on N sites. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.