(316c) Gaseous Product Mixture from Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis As an Efficient Carbon Source for Low Temperature CVD Growth of Carbon Nanotube Carpets

Low-temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of carbon nanotube (CNT) carpets from Fe and Fe-Cu catalysts using a gaseous product mixture from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS-GP) as a superior carbon precursor is demonstrated. This growth approach addresses a persistent issue of obtaining thick CNT carpets on temperature-sensitive substrates at low temperatures using a non-plasma CVD process. The efficiency of the process is evidenced by the highly dense, vertically aligned CNT structures from both Fe and Fe-Cu catalysts even at temperatures as low as 400°C for the conventional alumina substrates and 450°C for aluminum foil â?? a record low growth temperature for CNT carpets. The grown CNTs consist of well-aligned graphitic sheets and exhibit a straight morphology with hollow interior and parallel graphitic planes along the tube walls. The low activation energies and the long catalyst lifetimes observed are attributed to the unique composition of FTS-GP. The use of FTS-GP as a carbon precursor has the potential of enhancing CNT quality, catalyst lifetime, and sustainability, as well as lowering the cost of producing scalable amounts of CNTs.