Activated Cu catalysts for alcohol CVD synthesized non-magnetic bamboo-like carbon nanotubes and branched bamboo-like carbon nanotubes

In this contribution we present a facile alcohol chemical vapor deposition route for the synthesis of non-magnetic bamboo-like carbon nanotubes and branched bamboo-like carbon nanotubes. The use of copper as the catalyst yields a non-magnetic sample, which is important for some fundamental scientific studies and also certain applications. Our findings show copper requires a pre-synthesis heat treatment in air to be catalytically active. Further, our studies show the mean diameter of the carbon nanostructures can be tailored via the reaction temperature. Improved crystallinity of the non-magnetic bamboo-like carbon nanotubes and branched bamboo-like carbon nanotubes is obtained at the lower synthesis temperatures explored. These studies serve to broaden our understanding of catalyst choice and growth mechanisms in carbon nanotube formation. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.