Factors Affecting the Growth of Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes were prepared by using a hot filament chemical vapour deposition (HFCVD) system. Methane diluted in hydrogen was used as the reaction gas and nanosized nickel particles were used as the catalyst. Studies on the effect of catalyst preparation and growth conditions were conducted. The carbon nanotube produced under different conditions were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).