Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanotubes over ordered mesoporous matrices

Abstract

Abstract Pyrolytic decomposition of acetylene over the surface of nickel-, cobalt- and iron-containing ordered mesoporous MCM-41 silicas has been studied. Catalytically active matrices have been prepared by chemisorption of volatile metal acetylacetonate complexes on the silica surface. Reduction of the supported metal-containing compounds was carried out in hydrogen or acetylene atmosphere. Acetylene is used not only as a source of carbon in synthesis of the nanostructures but also as a reagent capable of reducing metal ions in the surface chemical compounds. Formation of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers is shown to depend on the pyrolysis conditions.