A reevaluation of the correlation between the synthesis parameters and structure and properties of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes
Journal article, 2015

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition using cobalt-based oxides as catalyst and ethylenediamine (EDA) as carbon/nitrogen precursor. The influence of growth time, EDA concentration and growth temperature on the morphology, yield, composition, graphitization and oxidation resistance of the NCNTs was systematically investigated by using Raman spectroscopy, temperature-programmed oxidation and other techniques. The NCNT growth from ethylenediamine with a high N/C ratio involves several processes including mainly (1) catalytic growth of NCNTs, (2) homogeneous gas-phase decomposition of EDA, (3) non-catalytic deposition of pyrolytic carbon/nitrogen species and (4) surface etching of amorphous carbon or carbon at defect sites through gasification. At a later growth stage the etching process appears to be dominating, leading to the thinning of nanotubes and the decrease of yield. Moreover, the surface etching through carbon gasification strongly influences the structure and degree of graphitization of NCNTs.

Carbon gasification

Catalytic chemical vapor deposition

Carbon nanotubes

Ethlyenediamine

Nitrogen-doping

Author

Kunpeng Xie

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Competence Centre for Catalysis (KCK)

F. Yang

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

P. Ebbinghaus

A. Erbe

M. Muhler

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

W. Xia

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Journal of Energy Chemistry

2095-4956 (ISSN)

Vol. 24 4 407-415

Areas of Advance

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Subject Categories

Physical Chemistry

Chemical Process Engineering

Nano Technology

DOI

10.1016/j.jechem.2015.06.016

More information

Latest update

7/10/2019