Effect of hydrogen on the growth and morphology of single wall carbon nanotubes synthesized on a FeMo/MgO catalytic system

Single wall carbon nanotubes were synthesized from thermal pyrolysis of methane on a FeMo/MgO catalyst by radio frequency catalytic chemical vapor deposition (RF-CVD) using argon as a carrier gas. Controlled amounts of hydrogen (H₂/CH₄=0-1 v/v) were introduced in separate experiments along with the carbon source. The properties and morphology of the synthesized single wall carbon nanotubes were monitored by transmission electron microscopy, Raman scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis. The nanotubes with the highest crystallinity were obtained with H₂/CH₄=0.6. By monitoring the Radial Breathing Modes present in the Raman spectra of the single-wall carbon nanotube samples, the variation of the structural and morphological properties of the carbon nanotubes with the flow level of hydrogen, reflect changes of the catalyst systems induced by the presence of hydrogen.     

Hydrogenation of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Towards the development of a useful mechanism for hydrogen storage, we have studied the hydrogenation of single-walled carbon nanotubes with atomic hydrogen using core-level photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. We find that atomic hydrogen creates C-H bonds with the carbon atoms in the nanotube walls, and such C-H bonds can be completely broken by heating to 600 degrees C. We demonstrate approximately 65 +/- 15 at % hydrogenation of carbon atoms in the single-walled carbon nanotubes, which is equivalent to 5.1 +/- 1.2 wt % hydrogen capacity. We also show that the hydrogenation is a reversible process.     

Synthesis of carbon nanofibers and nanotubes in an activated-hydrogen reactor

The parameters of multilayer carbon nanotubes and nanofibers synthesized by pyrolysis of acetylene in a reactor filled with hydrogen activated by diffusion through a hot metallic wall, as well as synthesis products, are studied. The results of synthesis with catalysts applied on the substrate and in the gaseous phase are reported.     

Effect of hydrogenation on the spectra of electronic and vibrational transitions in single-walled carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes containing 5.4 wt% H are prepared under a hydrogen pressure of 50 kbar at the temperature T = 500°C. Analysis of the optical transmission spectra has revealed that the hydrogenation of single-walled carbon nanotubes brings about suppression of high-frequency conduction provided by free charge carriers in the nanotubes, the disappearance of interband electronic transitions, and the appearance of an absorption line at 2845 cm^?1 corresponding to stretching vibrations of the C-H bonds. The removal of hydrogen from hydrogenated single-walled carbon nanotubes owing to vacuum annealing at a temperature of 500°C is accompanied by a linear decrease in the intensity of this line as the hydrogen content in the system decreases. This phenomenon indicates that the greater part of the hydrogen atoms in single-walled carbon nanotubes are covalently bonded to the carbon atoms.     

Exploring the possibility of GaPNTs as new materials for hydrogen storage

The possibility of hydrogen storage in gallium phosphate nanotubes (GaPNTs) as a high-capacity hydrogen storage media is studied by employing ab-initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations with a van der Waals (VdW) correction. The binding energy, the distance of the adsorbed hydrogen molecules and the charge transfer were particularly calculated. The obtained results indicate that hydrogenation of the GaPNTs is sensitive to the curvatures and chiralities of the nanotubes. It is found that the binding energy of hydrogen physisorption on GaP nanotubes is higher that on carbon nanotubes. These results are useful in the search for a proper media for hydrogen storage at ambient conditions.     

Preparation of carbon nanosheets deposited on carbon nanotubes by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method

Carbon nanosheets were synthesized by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method on carbon nanotubes substrate which was treated by hydrogen plasma. The results showed that the diameters of carbon nanotubes first got thick and then “petal-like” carbon nanosheets were grown on the outer wall of carbon nanotubes. The diameters of carbon nanotubes without and with carbon nanosheets were 100-150 and 300-500 nm, respectively. Raman spectrum indicated the graphite structure of carbon nanotubes/carbon nanosheets. The hydrogen plasma treatment and reaction time greatly affected the growth and density of carbon nanosheets. Based on above results, carbon nanosheets/carbon nanotubes probably have important applications as cold cathode materials and electrode materials.     

Preparation and characterization of nickel nanoparticles in different carbon matrices

Using the solid-phase pyrolysis and chemical vapor deposition of nickel-phthalocyanine, we have fabricated ferromagnetic Ni nanoparticles in carbon matrices. The composition, structure, morphology, and magnetic properties of samples were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, X-ray diffraction technique, and ferromagnetic resonance. It is shown that the sizes of nanoparticles can be varied from ∼10 nm to ∼500 nm depending on the temperature and time of pyrolysis. The used method allows us to synthesize metal nanoparticles in different carbon matrices: in amorphous carbon plates, in graphitic capsules, and in carbon nanotubes.     

Effect of electrochemical treatment on structural properties of conical carbon nanotubes

Interaction of multiwalled conical carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with hydrogen during their electrochemical treatment was studied by galvanostatic measurements and Raman spectroscopy. The structural changes occurring in the conical walls of the CNTs in consequence of the hydrogenation were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results obtained show that hydrogen sorption by conical CNTs is reversible. XRD studies revealed that the electrochemical hydrogenation leads to a change in the diffraction peak profile (2θ=26^°) and its position corresponding to the interplanar distance in conical CNTs. The results indicate structural changes occurring in the conical walls of the CNTs during hydrogenation. We assume that these structural changes can be caused by the hydrogen intercalation into the interplanar spaces of conical CNTs. Thus, the charge/discharge and structure data can be explained by the existence in this system of physically adsorbed molecular hydrogen and chemically bound atomic hydrogen.     

Thermally stable hydrogen compounds obtained under high pressure on the basis of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers

Compounds containing 6.3–6.5 wt % H and thermally stable in vacuum up to 500°C were obtained by annealing graphite nanofibers and single-walled carbon nanotubes in hydrogen atmosphere under a pressure of 9 GPa at temperatures up to 45°C. A change in the X-ray diffraction patterns indicates that the crystal lattice of graphite nanofibers swells upon hydrogenation and that the structure is recovered after the removal of hydrogen. It was established by IR spectroscopy that hydrogenation enhances light transmission by nanomaterials in the energy range studied (400–5000 cm^?1) and results in the appearance of absorption bands at 2860–2920 cm^?1 that are characteristic of the C–H stretching vibrations. The removal of about 40% of hydrogen absorbed under pressure fully suppresses the C–H vibrational peaks. The experimental results are evidence of two hydrogen states in the materials at room temperature; a noticeable portion of hydrogen forms C–H bonds, but the most of the hydrogen is situated between the graphene layers or inside the nanotubes.     

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.     

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes from natural precursors by spray pyrolysis method and their field electron emission properties

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes have been synthesized from botanical hydrocarbons: Turpentine oil and Eucalyptus oil on Si(100) substrate using Fe catalyst by simple spray pyrolysis method at 700°C and at atmospheric pressure. The as-grown carbon nanotubes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and Raman spectroscopy. It was observed that nanotubes grown from turpentine oil have better degree of graphitization and field emission performance than eucalyptus oil grown carbon nanotubes. The turpentine oil and eucalyptus oil grown carbon nanotubes indicated that the turn-on field of about 1.7 and 1.93 V/μm, respectively, at 10 μA/cm². The threshold field was observed to be about 2.13 and 2.9 V/μm at 1 mA/cm² of nanotubes grown from turpentine oil and eucalyptus oil respectively. Moreover, turpentine oil grown carbon nanotubes show higher current density in relative to eucalyptus oil grown carbon nanotubes. The maximum current density of 15.3 mA/cm² was obtained for ∼3 V/μm corresponding to the nanotubes grown from turpentine oil. The improved field emission performance was attributed to the enhanced crystallinity, fewer defects, and greater length of turpentine oil grown carbon nanotubes.     

氢在多壁碳纳米管中的吸附储存

利用巨正则系综蒙特卡罗(GCMC)的方法模拟了氢在多壁碳纳米管中的吸附,氢气分子之间、氢气分子和碳原子之间的相互作用势能采用Lennard-Jones势能模型。模拟了不同结构参数(管内径、管壁数、管壁间距)的多壁碳纳米管在77K和298K下的吸附等温线,分析了多壁碳纳米管的管内径、管壁数以及管壁间距对吸附性能的影响。模拟结果表明:多壁碳纳米管的管壁数和管壁间距对吸附性能的影响较明显;管壁数越少,管壁间距越大,其吸附性能越好;多壁碳纳米管的管内径对其吸附性能的影响甚微。     

Ultrasonic-assisted catalytic transfer hydrogenation for upgrading pyrolysis-oil

Recent interest in biomass-based fuel blendstocks and chemical compounds has stimulated research efforts on conversion and upgrading pathways, which are considered as critical commercialization drivers. Existing pre-/post-conversion pathways are energy intense (e.g., pyrolysis and hydrogenation) and economically unsustainable, thus, more efficient process solutions can result in supporting the renewable fuels and green chemicals industry. This study proposes a process, including biomass conversion and bio-oil upgrading, using mixed fast and slow pyrolysis conversion pathway, as well as sono-catalytic transfer hydrogenation (SCTH) treatment process. The proposed SCTH treatment employs ammonium formate as a hydrogen transfer additive and palladium supported on carbon as the catalyst. Utilizing SCTH, bio-oil molecular bonds were broken and restructured via the phenomena of cavitation, rarefaction, and hydrogenation, with the resulting product composition, investigated using ultimate analysis and spectroscopy. Additionally, an in-line characterization approach is proposed, using near-infrared spectroscopy, calibrated by multivariate analysis and modeling. The results indicate the potentiality of ultrasonic cavitation, catalytic transfer hydrogenation, and SCTH for incorporating hydrogen into the organic phase of bio-oil. It is concluded that the integration of pyrolysis with SCTH can improve bio-oil for enabling the production of fuel blendstocks and chemical compounds from lignocellulosic biomass.     

Sidewall fluorination and hydrogenation of single-walled carbon nanotubes: a density functional theory study

The fluorination and hydrogenation reactions on (6, 6) and (10, 0) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been examined via computing the reaction energy for the chemisorption. The examined nanotubes have comparable lengths and diameters, with or without Stone-Wales defects on the sidewall. The two fluorine or hydrogen atoms are anchored to the external walls of the SWCNTs. The computed chemisorption energies of these virtual reactions reveal that the fluorination and hydrogenation of the nanotubes are moderately sensitive to the nanotube chirality and the sidewall topology, and the (10, 0) SWCNT with Stone-Wales defect can be easily fluorinated and hydrogenated.      

多壁碳纳米管储氢的物理吸附特性

采用巨正则蒙特卡罗方法 ,模拟常温、1 0MPa下氢在扶手椅型多壁壁碳纳米管中的物理吸附过程 .氢分子之间、氢分子与碳原子之间的相互作用采用Lennard Jones势能模型 .研究了双壁碳纳米管外 (内 )径固定而内 (外 )径改变时的物理吸附储氢情况 ,发现氢分子主要储存在双壁碳纳米管的管壁附近 ,当双壁碳纳米管的内外管壁间距由 0 .34nm增大到 0 .6 1或 0 .88nm时可有效增加物理吸附储氢量 ,并给出了相应的理论解释 .在此基础上 ,计算了管壁间距为 0 .34、0 .6 1和 0 .88nm时的三壁碳纳米管的物理吸附储氢量 ,并与相同条件下单壁和双壁碳纳米管的物理吸附储氢量作了比较 ,发现多壁碳纳米管的物理吸附储氢量随碳管层数的增加而减小 .     

The synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by catalytic pyrolysis of the phenol-formaldehyde resins

A series of carbon nanomaterials, particularly multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT), are obtained as products from catalytic pyrolysis of the cross-linked phenol-formaldehyde resins with different ferrocene under inert atmosphere. The morphology and structure of the samples were evaluated by TEM and XRD techniques. CNTs morphology is dependent on the iron nanoparticles and their forms (Fe, Fe₃C) resulted from ferrocene decomposition. The amount of nanotubes increases with iron content released from ferrocene catalyst during the pyrolysis process. Fe₃C nanoparticles drive the nucleation and the growth of carbon nanotubes during the pyrolysis process. Long (up to microns) well-defined MWNTs with small defects, ropes and disordered carbon are representatives in the pyrolyzed resins composition.     

Synthesis of nanocomposites based on nanotubes and silicates

In situ synthesis of nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes and zeolite/montmorillonite was carried out in a hot filament CVD reactor where the precursors (methane and hydrogen) are activated by carbonized tungsten filaments heated up to 2200 °C. In nanocomposites formed both on zeolite and montmorillonite we observed cross-linking of the catalytic particles by nanotubes and creation of carbon nanotube bridges and three-dimensional networks. The length of nanotube bridges was in a range from several nm to nearly 10 μm. A high density of carbon nanotubes was observed in the whole volume of zeolite. The high catalytic efficiency of zeolite is most likely caused by its structure that allows anchoring of Fe³⁺ catalytic particles in the pores and prevents their migration from the sample. At the ends of the nanotubes grown on zeolite we observed particles of the catalyst. In montmorillonite, the particles catalyzing the growth of carbon nanotubes may be present not only on the external surface but also in the interlayer voids of the mineral. Its catalytic efficiency is enhanced as proved by the higher amount of CNTs and their bundles. In the course of CNTs synthesis probably also clumps of Fe³⁺ catalytic particles arise, which may be the reason for formation of bundles of nanotubes.     

First-principle study of interaction of molecular hydrogen with BC<Subscript>3</Subscript> composite single-walled nanotube

The physisorption of molecular hydrogen in BC₃ composite single-walled nanotube, investigated using density functional theory, was compared with single-walled carbon nanotube. Both external and internal adsorption sites of these two nanotubes have been studied with the hydrogen molecular axis oriented parallel to the nanotube wall. The calculated results show that: ([see full textsee full text]) the physisorption energies of a H₂ molecule are larger for BC₃(8,0) composite nanotube than for C(8,0) nanotube at all adsorption sites examined. ([see full textsee full text]) For these two nanotubes, the physisorption energies are larger for hydrogen bound inside the nanotubes than for adsorption outside the nanotubes. The different behavior between these two nanotubes is explained by the contour plots of electron density and charge-density difference of them. The present computations suggest that BC₃ nanotube may be a better candidate for hydrogen storage than carbon nanotube.     

Influence of pyrolysis temperature on the growth of Y-junction carbon nanotubes

Y-junction carbon nanotubes, grown through thermal pyrolysis of acetylene over nanocrystalline Ni-P deposited SiC whiskers, were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The pyrolysis temperature, which ranged from 800 °C to 1000 °C, was found to be crucial for the growth of different Y-junction carbon nanotubes. At pyrolysis temperatures below the partial melting point of the Ni-P alloy catalyst, only single-junction nanotubes could be synthesized. Whereas, due to partial melting of the alloy catalyst at higher pyrolysis temperatures, liquid-assisted growth of multiple Y-junction nanotubes could occur. PACS 61.46.+w; 61.48.+c; 68.37.Lp     

Thermoactivated transport of molecules H<Subscript>2</Subscript> in narrow single-wall carbon nanotubes

By use both of the plane wave DFT and the empirical exp-6 Lennard-Jones potential methods we calculate the inner potential in narrow single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) (6, 0), (7, 0) and (3, 3) which affects the hydrogen molecules. The inner potential forms a goffered potential surface and can be approximated as V(z,r,φ)≈V₀sin (2πz/a)+V(r). We show that in these SWCNTs transport of molecules is given mainly by thermoactivated hoppings between minima of the periodic potential along the tube axis. The rate hoppings is substantially depends on temperature because of thermal fluctuations of tube wall.