Catalytic production fo single-walled carbon nanotubes, functionalization, and incorporation in polymer matrices

DANIEL RESASCO; LEANDRO BALZANO; FRANCISCO POMPEO; HARRY BARRAZA; JOSE HERRERA

AIAA - AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS

AMER INST AERONAUT ASTRONAUT

Año: 2002 p. 5762 - 5766

0001-1452

The production of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) by disproportionation of CO over supported catalysts has been optimized. The design of a specific formulation based on Co-Mo supported on silica gel has resulted in a catalyst that yields SWNT with high selectivity. The temperature used during the synthesis is an important parameter that can be employed to control the average diameter of the SWNT. It has been found that the build-up of CO2, a byproduct of the carbon deposition reaction, has a strongly inhibiting effect on SWNT growth. To minimize the CO2 build-up, a high space velocity must be used to keep the CO conversion as low as possible. A tubular fluidized bed reactor is particularly suitable to achieve these conditions. In addition, this reactor has other advantages for the production of SWNT, such as extensive particle mixing, excellent gassolid contact, and effective mass and heat transfer. This reactor is suitable for continuous addition and removal of solid particles from the reactor. A good-quality SWNT product has been consistently obtained. After production the SWNT have been functionalized and incorporated in polymeric matrices by novel techniques.