Effects of iron and indium tin oxide on the growth of carbon tubule nanocoils

Carbon tubule nanocoils have been synthesized at high yield by catalytic thermal decomposition of acetylene gas using iron and indium tin oxide (ITO) as the catalysts. The effect of Fe and ITO on the growth of carbon nanocoils has been investigated. By increasing the content ratio of Sn in the ITO film, the yield of carbon nanotubules may be increased but that of nanocoils is decreased. It is found that Fe-additions lead to the growth of carbon nanotubules, while ITO induces their helical growth. The yield of carbon nanocoils is determined by the elemental ratio of Sn and In. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.