Fabrication of single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanohorns by means of a torch arc in open air

Single-wall carbon nanotubes and nanohorns were fabricated by means of a torch arc method in open air. A graphite target containing Ni/Y catalyst was used as a counterelectrode of the welding arc torch. The target was blasted away by the DC arc, and soot was deposited on the substrate placed downstream of the arc plasma jet. The deposited soot was observed with a transmittance electron microscope, revealing that the soot contained single-wall carbon nanotubes and nanohorns. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.