PROCESS UTILIZING TWO ZONES FOR MAKING SINGLE-WALL CARBON NANOTUBES

摘要

The present invention discloses a gas-phase method for producing high yields of single-wall carbon nanotubes with high purity and homogeneity. The method involves separating the step of catalyst cluster formation from initiation and growth of the single-wall carbon nanotubes. The method involves reacting catalyst precursors and forming catalyst clusters of the size desirable to promote initiation and growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes prior to mixing with a carbon-containing feedstock at a reaction temperature and pressure sufficient to produce single-wall carbon nanotubes. The catalyst cluster reactions may be initiated either by rapid heating or by photolysis by high energy electromagnetic radiation, such as a laser, or both. The carbon feedstock gas for single-wall carbon nanotube synthesis is preferably CO or methane, catalyzed by the catalyst clusters, preferably iron or a combination of iron and nickel.