Growth mechanism of carbon nanotubes from Co-W-C alloy catalyst revealed by atmospheric environmental transmission electron microscopy.

ABSTRACT: High-melting point alloy catalysts have been reported to be effective for the structure-controlled growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). However, some fundamental issues remain unclear because of the complex catalytic growth environment. Here, we directly investigated the active catalytic phase of Co-W-C alloy catalyst, the growth kinetics of CNTs, and their interfacial dynamics using closed-cell environmental transmission electron microscopy at atmospheric pressure. The alloy catalyst was precisely identified as a cubic η-carbide phase that remained unchanged during the whole CNT growth process. Rotations of the catalyst nanoparticles during CNT growth were observed, implying a weak interfacial interaction and undefined orientation dependence for the solid catalyst. Theoretical

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9728978 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature