Synthesis and characterisation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes are one of the major research areas in the field of nanotechnology, due to its mechanical and electro-conductive properties in the field of engineering and medical sciences. This paper focuses on preparation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the mass production using thermal catalytic chemical vapour deposition method. The synthesis of MWCNTs was made by breakdown of acetylene (C2H2) gas and Fe/MgO acting as catalyst. The surface morphology and structure of MWCNTs were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also phase identification and crystalline size of the nanopowder were determined by XRD. The particle size of MWCNTs was verified by SEM analysis and it was in the range of 20–30 nm and elemental analysis was carried out through energy dispersive analysis X-ray. Furthermore, thermal decomposition of the material property was studied by thermogravimetric analysis.