PRETREATMENT METHOD FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF CARBON NANOTUBES AND CARBON NANOSTRUCTURES FROM COAL AND CARBON CHARS

摘要

Carbon nanostructures such as multi-walled carbon nanotubes are formed from electrolyzed coal char. The electrolyzed coal char is formed by forming a slurry of coal particles, metal catalyst and water and subjecting this to electrolysis, which generates carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This forms a coating on the particles which includes metal catalysts. These particles can be used as is for formation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes using a pyrolysis method or other method without the addition of any catalyst. The gelatinous coating can be separated from the char and used as a fuel or as a carbon source to form carbon nanostructures.