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Carbon nanotubes formed in graphite after mechanical grinding and thermal annealing
journal contribution
posted on 2003-03-01, 00:00 authored by Ying (Ian) ChenYing (Ian) Chen, M Conway, J FitzgeraldMulti-walled carbon nanotubes with cylindrical and bamboo-type structures are produced in a graphite sample after mechanical milling at ambient temperature and subsequent thermal annealing up to 1400 °C. The ball milling produces a precursor structure and the thermal annealing activates the nanotube growth. Different nanotubular structures indicate different formation mechanisms: multi-wall cylindrical carbon nanotubes are probably formed upon micropores and the bamboo tubes are produced because of the metal catalysts. A two-dimensional growth governed by surface diffusion is believed to be one important factor for the nanotube growth. A potential industrial production method is demonstrated with advantages of large production quantity and low cost.