Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanotubes on clay minerals

Novel clay-carbon tube composites were synthesized by catalytic decomposition of acetylene over iron-catalyst centers supported on montmorillonite surfaces by ion-exchange. TEM and SEM micrographs show the growth of carbon tubes rooted to the clay surfaces, while the iron-nanoparticles (which catalyze the formation of carbon-nanotubes) are detected and characterized by Mossbauer spectroscopy, mainly as ferromagnetic cementite (Fe3C). In the hybrid materials the clay retains its exchange properties making possible the preparation of clay-carbon nanotube derivatives that are valuable for various technological applications. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.