SYNTHESIS OF CARBON NANOTUBES THROUGH CARBON ARC EVAPORATION EMPLOYING Mm, La, AND Ce CATALYSTS

Abstract

We report the formation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in, high density when mischmetal Mm (a natural mixture of several rare earth elements) is used as catalyst. Mm has been found to work as a better catalyst than either lanthanum (La) or cerium (Ce). The formation of composite nanorods when the catalyst La is used in very high concentration (∼90wt.%) has also been described and discussed.