RHENIUM CATALYSTS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION OF SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES

摘要

The present invention is a method and catalyst for selectively producing single-walled carbon nanotubes. The catalyst comprises rhenium and a Group VIII transition metal, for example Co, which is preferably disposed on a support material to form a catalytic substrate. In the method, a carbon-containing gas is exposed to the catalytic substrate at suitable reaction conditions whereby a high percentage of the carbon nanotubes produced by the reaction is single-walled carbon nanotubes.