Effect of carbon precursor flowrate on the quality and quantity of carbon nanotubes

The effect of the carbon precursor flow rate (CPFR) on the quality and quantity of CNTs is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the CPFR on the quality and quantity of CNTs at different temperatures. Our results showed that as the CPFR increased, so did the average diameter of the CNTs, indicating an improvement in the decomposition rate of acetylene at a higher CPFR. In general, the height of the CNTs also showed a peak with the CPFR. This was attributed to the competition between the decomposition rate of acetylene and the surface diffusion rate of carbon. Based on the Raman results, the graphite structures of the CNTs increased with temperature. This was ascribed to the increase in the surface diffusion rate of carbon at higher temperatures.

Automated summary

The effect of carbon precursor flow rate on the quality and quantity of CNTs is controversial. Increasing the flow rate leads to larger diameters and heights of CNTs, indicative of improved acetylene decomposition. The competition between decomposition rate and carbon surface diffusion rate affects the height of CNTs. Raman results show that higher temperatures increase the graphite structures of CNTs due to increased carbon surface diffusion rate.