Title: Parametric study of CNTs production using submerged arc-discharge technique

Authors: Mohamed A. Etman, M.K. Bedewy, Salah H.R. Ali, Badr S. Azzam

Addresses: Mechanical Design and Production Department, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt. ' Mechanical Design and Production Department, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt. ' Engineering and Surface Metrology, National Institute of Standards, Giza 12211-136, Egypt. ' College of Engineering, Al-Jouf University, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, P.O. Box 2014, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Nanotechnology has become extremely important in enhancing the potential of many applications. Carbon-nanotubes (CNTs) have recently become the most promising functional materials in nanocomposites. They have been extensively focused on over the past few years due to its unique structural features, amazing properties and for its potential technological applications. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a parametric study to investigate the effect of relevant different parameters that affect the CNTs yield rate, structure and quality during their production in lab, using the submerged DC arc in de-ionised water technique. The set-up constructed specially for this purpose has been described. The effect of the current potential and intensity, the purity of the graphitic source and the combination of the electrodes sizes on the yield rate of CNTs has been studied. 60A-24v DC current through 1 mm gap, 99.9% pure graphite electrodes of diameters of 3 mm for the anode against 12 mm for the cathode, have been found to produce the highest CNTs yield rate of 20 g/hr within the lab experimental limitations. The produced carbon nanotubes have then been investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the sake of capturing and visualising the CNTs growth stages during synthesis.

Keywords: nanoparticles; synthesis; carbon nanotubes; CNT; parametric study; characterisation; submerged arc discharge; nanotechnology; nanocomposites.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2009.028756

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2009 Vol.2 No.1/2/3/4/5/6, pp.226-237

Published online: 30 Sep 2009 *

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