Optimizing carbon nanotube continuous production in a swirled floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition reactor

Abstract

Effects of various factors affecting the rate of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) produced in a Swirled Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapour Deposition (SFCCVD) reactor were investigated. This study was performed in a vertical silica tube plug flow reactor developed by Iyuke at this University. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images revealed that both Single–Walled and Multi–Walled Carbon Nanotubes were produced continuously by this method. Experimental results also showed that pyrolysis/reaction temperature, acetylene flow rate, hydrogen flow rate and ratio of acetylene to hydrogen flow rate affect the rate of production of carbon nanotubes. Maximum production rate of 0.31g/min was obtained at operating conditions of acetylene flow rate of 370ml/min, hydrogen flow rate of 180ml/min and pyrolysis temperature of 1000oC. It is worth mentioning that to the best of our knowledge such CNTs production rate and technique have not been reported in the open literature.