Thermal decomposition products of various carbon sources in chemical vapor deposition synthesis of carbon nanotube

We have studied the thermal catalytic decomposition of different typical carbon sources and an unsuitable carbon source in order to gain insight into the chemical vapor deposition of carbon nanotubes. The suitable sources decomposed into Cl and C2 hydrocarbons and their radicals. In contrast, the unsuitable source did not afford hydrocarbons. In this study, pure methane and ethylene pyrolysis resulted in little amounts of Cl and C2 radicals, and so an excess of hydrogen was required to shift the equilibrium reaction between C1 and C2. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.