Growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes by a novel technique using nanosized graphite as carbon source

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCN) have been produced treating nanosized graphitic powders with atomic hydrogen fluxes in a purpose-designed reactor. The Fe-catalyzed synthesis process yielded rather dense networks of nanotubes forming continuous layers adherent to the substrates. Raman spectroscopy in the 140-150 cm(-1) region, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and reflection electron diffraction in selected area configuration have been used to define the structural details of the nanotubes. The analysis evidenced a nanotubes population belonging prevalently to the (n,0) achiral symmetry subclass. This new experimental approach for SWCNs growth provides promising conditions for maximizing yields and generating selected tubular configurations. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.