In situ carbon nanotube synthesis by the reduction of NiO/γ-Al2O3 catalyst in methane

The synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via chemical vapour deposition of methane on NiO/γ-Al2O3 catalyst has been investigated. The reduction behavior of NiO/γ-Al2O3 by methane was studied using thermogravimetric (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. It was found that the NiO supported on γ-Al2O3, was reduced to Ni⁰ in methane atmosphere in the temperature range of 710--770 ℃. The catalytic activity of NiO/γ-Al2O3 for CNTs synthesis by in situ chemical vapour deposition of methane during the reduction was also investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe the CNTs produced at various reduction temperatures. The results indicated that the reduction temperature exhibits obvious influence on the morphology and the yield of CNTs. CNTs with the diameter of about 20 nm were obtained at reduction temperature of 750 ℃, and higher reduction temperature (such as 800 and 850 ℃) led to an increase in CNTs diameter and a decrease in CNTs yield.