High quality SWCNT synthesis in the presence of NH3 using a vertical flow aerosol reactor

High quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were synthesized in the presence of ammonia (NH3) using a vertical flow aerosol reactor and collected directly from the gas phase in a simple continuous process. The morphology of the carbon network and the quality of the SWCNTs was investigated combining local and overall probes such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), Raman, and optical absorption. [GRAPHICS] Representative STM image of a SWCNT synthesized by aerosol CVD (8 x 2 nm(2), measured at a bias of 1 V and a tunneling current of 0.2 nA). (C) 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim