Finding a Cheaper Carbon Source: High-Quality, Single-Walled Nanotubes from Asphalt and Petroleum Coke

High-quality SWCNTs were synthesized for the first time by an arc discharge method with Fe as the catalyst and using a cheaper carbon source-asphalt or coke. The morphology and structure of the SWCNTs were confirmed by SEM, TEM, Raman spectroscopy, and EDX. This technique opens up the possibility of economically preparing SWCNTs.