V型热解火焰合成碳纳米管的催化剂选择与分析

碳纳米管是一种新型碳材料.催化剂是碳纳米管制备中的重要影响因素,而燃烧法合成碳纳米管必须使用催化剂.本文利用V型热解火焰来研究碳纳米管的合成条件,主要在理论和实验两个方面分析研究了催化剂的作用、种类、颗粒大小、失活等方面对碳纳米管生长的影响,从而为V型热解火焰法合成碳纳米管时催化剂的选取提供依据.理论分析和实验结果表明: Fe(CO)5作为一种铁剂催化剂非常适合催化CO合成碳纳米管.利用碳的"溶解-扩散-析出"机理可以用来解释Fe(CO)5催化CO合成碳纳米管的过程.     

乙炔/空气预混火焰法合成多壁碳纳米管的实验研究

本文利用乙炔-空气预混火焰研究了多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)的合成,采用涂覆有二茂铁或硝酸镍催化剂的探针在预混火焰中采样,用扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)对碳纳米材料(CNTs)的形貌和结构进行了表征.结果表明在乙炔-空气预混火焰中,二茂铁和硝酸镍均能够成功合成竹节状多壁碳纳米管,严物中处发现了碳纤维(CNF)、巴基葱(bucky onion)和碳黑等物质.二茂铁催化生成的碳纳米管管径大于硝酸镍催化生成的碳纳米管的管径;在乙炔-空 气散火焰和甲烷-空气扩散火焰中硝酸镍所催化合成的碳纳米管管径相近,说明碳纳米管的管径受催化剂颗粒尺寸的影响较大.研究表明探针在火焰中停留的时间和保护气体也会影响碳纳米管的合成.     

采用铁基催化剂在V型热解火焰中合成碳纳米管的实验研究

催化剂的选取对于V型热解火焰合成碳纳米管具有重要的影响.实验中分别采用五羰基铁、二茂铁、纳米铁粉等作为催化剂,取样时间为10 min,温度约为1150 K,催化剂的引入方式为喷雾热解方法,利用扫描电镜和透射电镜对合成的碳纳米管进行形态和结构表征分析.实验结果表明:利用V型热解火焰合成碳纳米管时的关键物质是纳米氧化铁颗粒...     

用微米级LaNi5为催化剂生长的碳管的ESR谱研究

用微米级LaNi₅合金粉末为催化剂, 以乙炔为原料, 采用化学气相沉积(CVD)法合成了多壁碳纳米管. 在100~290 K温度下测量了41 μm≤d≤150 μm粒径催化剂制备的不同直径分布的碳纳米管的电子自旋共振（ESR）谱,研究了测量温度、微米级催化剂粒径及制备过程的氢气氛对生成的碳纳米管的ESR谱线型、g因子、线宽的影响. 发现碳纳米管的g因子随其直径的增大而增大,分别为2.040 0（催化剂粒径41 μm≤d≤50 μm, 碳纳米管的直径分布为10 nm到20 nm）和2.089 8（催化剂粒径100 μm≤d≤150 μm,碳纳米管的直径分布为70 nm到120 nm）. 发现小管径纳米管的ESR谱图有一个峰, 而大管径纳米管的ESR谱图有两个峰A和B, 且随测量温度的升高, 峰B强度增大.     

CO／H2变化对合成气旋流燃烧火焰流动结构的影响

利用粒子图像速度场测量技术（PIV）对不同CO／H2下的合成气旋流燃烧流场进行了实验研究。由所测合成气旋流燃烧火焰的速度场可知：合成气旋流燃烧火焰中,轴向平均速度最大值出现在喷嘴中心轴线处,轴线两侧还会有个小的峰值;随着与喷嘴表面距离的增大,最大轴向平均速度不断减小,轴侧峰值与轴线距离不断增大。对比不同CO／H2下火焰...     

生长参数对碳纳米管阵列制备的影响

利用化学气相沉积法在沉积铁纳米颗粒的硅衬底上制备了垂直方向高度有序的碳纳米管阵列．扫描电子显微镜的观测发现，碳纳米管阵列的形貌受到若干生长参数的影响，包括催化剂颗粒大小、反应温度和反应气体的分压等．研究发现，当反应温度升高，或反应气体中碳源气体含量增加时，碳纳米管变粗、变短．当催化剂薄膜的厚度减小时，碳纳米管的直径随之减小而纳米管阵列的高度则先增后减，有一个最大值．这些结果表明，碳纳米管的直径和阵列的高度可通过选择合适的反应温度、匀胶机转速和反应气比率来调节．     

甲烷/氧气层流同轴射流扩散火焰OH*自由基的数值研究

OH*自由基是火焰中主要的激发态自由基之一,它所产生的化学发光可用于描述火焰的结构、拉伸率、氧燃当量比和热释放速率等特征信息,因此被广泛应用于火焰燃烧状态的在线诊断。以甲烷/氧气层流同轴射流扩散火焰作为研究对象,采用GRI-Mech 3.0机理结合OH*自由基生成和淬灭反应进行数值计算,对OH*自由基的二维分布特性进行研究,分析不同区域内OH*自由基的生成路径,并探讨不同氧燃当量比例和不同喷嘴出口尺寸对OH*自由基强度和分布特性的影响。模拟结果与实验研究基本吻合,表明计算模型能够准确描述火焰中OH*自由基的二维分布。结果表明：在甲烷/氧气层流同轴射流扩散火焰中,OH*自由基存在两种不同形态的分布区域,分别由反应CH+O₂=OH*+CO和H+O+M=OH*+M生成;随着氧燃当量比提高,OH*自由基的分布区域逐渐向火焰下游扩张,根据其分布形态的变化可以对火焰燃烧状况进行判断;如果OH*自由基仅分布于火焰的上游区域且呈断开形态,则说明火焰处于贫氧燃烧状态。如果OH*分布呈环状形态,则说明火焰处于富氧燃烧状态;相同氧气流量条件下,缩小喷嘴出口的环隙尺寸有助于加强燃料和氧气的化学反应程度,从而使火焰中OH*自由基的摩尔分数显著提高,增强OH*化学发光的辐射强度,提高火焰光谱诊断的准确性。     

预混多喷嘴火焰自激振荡燃烧的实验研究

针对甲烷/空气预混多喷嘴火焰的自激振荡燃烧进行了激光可视化实验研究。采用动态压力传感器记录压力脉动,利用激光诱导荧光技术对多喷嘴火焰结构进行相同步测量。实验结果表明,多喷嘴燃烧室的压力脉动频率为41 Hz,幅值为1370 Pa。火焰沿着轴向发生周期性跳动,在0°~60°相位时,喷嘴发生回火。中心火焰的推举高度比外侧火焰高,但燃烧反应强度低于外侧火焰。在相邻火焰干涉区发生局部熄火与重新点燃,相邻火焰干涉区和火焰根部区的不稳定热释放和压力脉动的耦合是引起预混多喷嘴火焰自激振荡燃烧的主要原因。     

不同管径的Y形微燃烧器内氢气-空气非预混燃烧的火焰传播特性

实验研究了内径分别为1 mm、2 mm和3 mm,水平通道长度为200 mm的Y形微燃烧器内氢气/空气扩散燃烧的火焰传播特性。首先,d=2 mm的燃烧器内的火焰传播模式最为丰富。其次,当燃烧器管径较大时,火焰更容易因扰动而发出噪音。在d=2和3 mm的燃烧器内能观察到两个阶段的噪音,而当d=1 mm时只有一个阶段的噪音。d=2 mm的燃烧器内平均火焰传播速度最小。而且,随着管径的增大,边界火焰更长。值得注意的是,在d=1 mm的燃烧器内,实验观察到了移动的"火焰街"。最后,基于系统的实验观察绘制了八种火焰传播模式的分布图。总之,本文不仅揭示了火焰传播特性与运行参数和尺度效应之间的关系,而且能为Y形微燃烧器的设计和运行提供指导。     

微尺度扩散火焰特性的数值解析

本文以均匀空气流中圆管形成的甲烷射流扩散火焰为对象,用数值解析的方法研究了微尺度扩散火焰的火焰结构和燃烧特性。燃烧反应采用甲烷/空气一步总包反应,喷管壁面采用绝热条件。在Re一定情况下,改变喷口尺寸和喷口流速考察了微扩散火焰的结构和火焰熄灭的尺度效应。数值结果表明,随着喷口直径的增大,微火焰的上方出现回流; Re=12条件下,在喷口直径=0.07 mm时存在熄灭极限;稳定燃烧区的最小发热率约为0.5 W;微尺度条件下,Da数对火焰结构和火焰的熄灭有一定的影响。     

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes on Ni-alloy and Si-substrates using counterflow methane–air diffusion flames

We have conducted an experimental study to investigate the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in counterflow methane–air diffusion flames, with emphasis on effects of catalyst, temperature, and the air-side strain rate of the flow on CNTs growth. The counterflow flame was formed by fuel (CH₄ or CH₄ + N₂) and air streams impinging on each other. Two types of substrates were used to deposit CNTs. Ni-alloy (60% Ni + 26% Cr + 14% Fe) wire substrates synthesized curved and entangled CNTs, which have both straight and bamboo-like structures; Si-substrates with porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanotemplates synthesized well-aligned, self-assembled CNTs. These CNTs grown inside nanopores had a uniform geometry with controllable length and diameter. The axial temperature profiles of the flow were measured by a 125 μm diameter Pt/10% Rh–Pt thermocouple with a 0.3 mm bead junction. It was found that temperature could affect not only the success of CNTs synthesis, but also the morphology of synthesized CNTs. It was also found, against previous general belief, that there was a common temperature region (1023–1073 K) in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and counterflow diffusion flames where CNTs could be produced. CNTs synthesized in counterflow flames were significantly affected by air-side strain rate not through the residence time, but through carbon sources available for CNTs growth. Off-symmetric counterflow flames could synthesize high-quality CNTs because with this configuration carbon sources at the fuel side could easily diffuse across the stagnation surface to support CNTs growth. These results show the feasibility of using counterflow flames to synthesize CNTs for particular applications such as fabricating nanoscale electronic devices.     

Synthesis and field emission properties of carbon nanotubes grown in ethanol flame based on a photoresist-assisted catalyst annealing process

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been grown directly on a Si substrate without a diffusion barrier in ethanol diffusion flame using Ni as the catalyst after a photoresist-assisted catalyst annealing process. The growth mechanism of as-synthesized CNTs is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission-electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The photoresist is the key for the formation of active catalyst particles during annealing process, which then result in the growth of CNTs. The catalyst annealing temperature has been found to affect the morphologies and field electron emission properties of CNTs significantly. The field emission properties of as-grown CNTs are investigated with a diode structure and the obtained CNTs exhibit enhanced characteristics. This technique will be applicable to a low-cost fabrication process of electron-emitter arrays.     

Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes in oxy-fuel inverse diffusion flames with online diagnostics

A novel technique for synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in diffusion flames is presented, as is a diagnostic tool that can provide online information about nanotube size, number density, and purity. An inverse diffusion flame with a high stoichiometric mixture fraction (Z_st) is used to produce SWNTs with an average length of 1 μm. The high Z_st flame allows nanotubes to be produced in a fuel-rich region that is void of soot and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). In addition, by operating as an inverse diffusion flame the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are not exposed to oxygen and thus, can be collected downstream. Consequently, this flame provides a potential approach to large-scale synthesis of pure SWNTs. In addition, a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) is employed as an online diagnostic tool. The DMA can distinguish between excess catalyst particles and CNTs due to the differences in their electrical mobilities. Thus, the presence of CNTs as well as their size, number density, and purity relative to excess catalyst particles can be identified from the size distribution of the aerosol sampled downstream of the flame. This tool allows for rapid identification of the effect of changing process variables on nanotube growth and thus, the production process can be quickly optimized.     

Synthesis of carbon nanotubes by CVD: Effect of acetylene pressure on nanotubes characteristics

The effect of acetylene partial pressure on the structural and morphological properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) synthesized by CVD on iron nanoparticles dispersed in a SiO₂ matrix as catalyst was investigated. The general growing conditions were: 110 cm³/min flow rate, 690 °C synthesis temperature, 180 Torr over pressure and two gas compositions: 2.5% and 10% C₂H₂/N₂. The catalyst and nanotubes were characterized by HR-TEM, SEM and DRX. TGA and DTA were also carried out to study degradation stages of synthesized CNTs. MWCNTs synthesized with low acetylene concentration are more regular and with a lower amount of amorphous carbon than those synthesized with a high concentration. During the synthesis of CNTs, amorphous carbon nanoparticles nucleate on the external wall of the nanotubes. At high acetylene concentration carbon nanoparticles grow, covering all CNTs’ surface, forming a compact coating. The combination of CNTs with this coating of amorphous carbon nanoparticles lead to a material with high decomposition temperature.     

Temperature and carbon source effects on methane–air flame synthesis of CNTs

We have conducted experimental and numerical studies on flame synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to investigate the effects of three key parameters – selective catalyst, temperature and available carbon sources – on CNT growth. Two different substrates were used to synthesize CNTs: Ni-alloy wire substrates to obtain curved and entangled CNTs and Si-substrates with porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanotemplates to grow well-aligned, self-assembled and size-controllable CNTs, each using two different types of laminar flames, co-flow and counter-flow methane–air diffusion flames. An appropriate temperature range in the synthesis region is essential for CNTs to grow on the substrates. Possible carbon sources for CNT growth were found to be the major species CO and those intermediate species C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, and methyl radical CH₃. The major species H₂, CO₂ and H₂O in the synthesis region are expected to activate the catalyst and help to promote catalyst reaction.     

Optimization of a thermal-CVD system for carbon nanotube growth

We illustrate the optimization of the operation of a thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system for the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNT). We have studied the deposition parameters using the Taguchi matrix robust design approach. The CVD system, which employs solid precursors (camphor and ferrocene) carried by nitrogen gas flow through a hot deposition zone, where the deposition of carbon nanostructures takes place, involves a large number of tunable parameters that have to be optimized.With the aim of getting the best configuration for the development of massive and well-oriented CNT carpets, the Taguchi method allowed us to improve our system leading to the growth of extremely long CNTs (few millimeters) at a high deposition rate (500 nm/s) and yield (30% in weight of the carbon precursors feedstock), which were characterized by electron microscopy.We found that the growth temperature had the most important influence on the CNT diameter, whereas the substrate tilt wit respect to gas flow did not influence their growth (i.e. CNTs grow on every side of the silicon wafer substrates, always normal to the substrate surface). The carrier gas flow and catalyst concentration both showed a secondary impact on CNT growth, though they showed a consistent correlation to the growth temperature.     

初始温度及碳源对碳纳米管气相爆轰法合成的影响

改变初始温度以及分别使用甲烷和乙炔气体作碳源时气相爆轰合成碳纳米管,研究了初始温度与不同碳源对碳纳米管的影响。利用X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电镜(TEM)、拉曼(Raman)光谱等对碳纳米管进行表征。结果表明,随着初始温度的升高,所合成的碳纳米管的产量减少且石墨化程度降低,但管壁会变得光滑且管径有所增加。当使用乙炔时,所合成的产物中没有碳纳米管,而是合成了石墨化程度较高的无定形碳,随着催化剂量的增加,产物中碳包覆颗粒增多且包覆层清晰可见,但存在结构缺陷。当初始温度在110~130 ℃时,使用甲烷气体运用气相爆轰的手段是合成碳纳米管的较佳方案。     

Uncertainty assessment of species measurements in acetone counterflow diffusion flames

To quantitatively understand the uncertainty of intrusive species sampling measurements using a microprobe, velocity and speciation profiles of acetone counterflow diffusion flames have been experimentally investigated with cross validations using non-intrusive particle image velocimetry (PIV) and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements. It is shown that the separation distance between the fuel and oxidizer nozzles needs to be sufficiently large to achieve uniform radial velocity profiles at the nozzle exit and accurate measurements of fuel concentration distributions in flames. The impacts of the diffusion flame location relative to the stagnation plane and the diffusion flame thickness on quantitative species sampling are investigated by varying the fuel to oxygen ratio as well as nitrogen and helium as fuel diluents. The results show that the diffusion flame needs to be located on the fuel side far from the stagnation plane in order to obtain reliable speciation measurements of fuel oxidation-related species. For helium dilution in the fuel side, a significant deviation from the model prediction is found due to the excessively fast diffusion velocity of helium. The impact of the intrusive probe on the flow field and the structure of the counterflow diffusion flame are identified by acetone and OH LIF measurements. The uncertainty in the speciation measurement associated with flow perturbations by the probe is quantified and found to be comparable to the outer diameter of the probe, ±0.3 mm. A simple Reynolds number analysis shows that the flow near the probe is just on the outskirts of the Stokes regime. Finally, the structure of the acetone diffusion flame is measured quantitatively with species measurements of ethane, ethylene, and acetylene. The comparison between predictions and measurements indicate that the current C₂ kinetic mechanism needs to be improved for quantitative prediction of the acetone flame structures.     

Hydrogen-free spray pyrolysis chemical vapor deposition method for the carbon nanotube growth: Parametric studies

Spray pyrolysis chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in the absence of hydrogen at low carrier gas flow rates has been used for the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A parametric study of the carbon nanotube growth has been conducted by optimizing various parameters such as temperature, injection speed, precursor volume, and catalyst concentration. Experimental observations and characterizations reveal that the growth rate, size and quality of the carbon nanotubes are significantly dependent on the reaction parameters. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy techniques were employed to characterize the morphology, structure and crystallinity of the carbon nanotubes. The synthesis process can be applied to both semiconducting silicon wafer and conducting substrates such as carbon microfibers and stainless steel plates. This approach promises great potential in building various nanodevices with different electron conducting requirements. In addition, the absence of hydrogen as a carrier gas and the relatively low synthesis temperature (typically 750 °C) qualify the spray pyrolysis CVD method as a safe and easy way to scale up the CNT growth, which is applicable in industrial production.     

Characteristics and structure of inverse flames of natural gas

Characteristics and structure of nominally non-premixed flames of natural gas are investigated using a burner that employs simultaneously two distinct features: fuel and oxidiser direct injection, and inverse fuel and oxidiser delivery. At low exit velocities, the result is an inverse diffusion flame that has been noted in the past for its low NO_x emissions, soot luminosity, and narrow stability limits. The present study aimed at extending the burner operating range, and it demonstrated that the inverse flame exhibits a varying degree of partial premixing dependent on the discharge nozzle conditions and the ratio of inner air jet and outer fuel jet velocities. These two variables affect the flame length, temperature distributions, and stability limits. Temperature measurements and Schlieren visualisation show areas of enhanced turbulent mixing in the shear region and the presence of a well-mixed reaction zone on the flame centreline. This reaction zone is enveloped by an outer diffusion flame, yielding a unique double-flame structure. As the fuel–air equivalence ratio is decreasing with an increase in the inner jet velocity, the well-mixed reaction zone extends considerably. These findings suggest a method for establishing a flame of uniform high temperature by optimising the coaxial nozzle geometry and flow conditions. The normalised flame length is decreasing exponentially with the air/fuel velocity ratio. Measurements demonstrate that the inverse flame stability limits change qualitatively with varying degree of partial premixing. At the low premixing level, the flame blow-out is a function of the inner and outer jet velocities and the nozzle conditions. The flame blow-out at high degree of partial premixing occurs abruptly at a single value of the inner air jet velocity, regardless of the fuel jet velocity and almost independent of the discharge nozzle conditions.