Synthesis, growth mechanism and processing of carbon nanotubes

A survey of the methods to synthesize multi-walled, single-walled, and other types of CNTs, and the methods of purification of the nanotubes are described in the chapter. Besides multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been prepared by various methods, including electrochemical synthesis, and pyrolysis of precursor organic molecules. The structure of CNTs has been extensively investigated by high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). The nanotubes, prepared by arc vaporization of graphite, are closed at either end, but can be opened by various oxidants. By employing CNTs as removable templates, oxidic, carbidic, and other nanostructures have been prepared. One of the developments is the synthesis of aligned nanotube bundles for specific applications. Growth mechanisms of the nanotubes are also discussed.