title: Application of fly ash as a catalyst for synthesis of carbon nanotube ribbons.
abstract: The larger diameter-based carbon nanotube (CNT) ropes and ribbons are currently synthesized by catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons with transition metal-based catalysts e.g., Co, Ni, Fe and Mo at 1100-1200°C, using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) and electric arc methods. We produced CNT ribbons by fly ash (FA) catalyzed pyrolysis of a composite film of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with FA at 500°C for 10min under a nitrogen flow of 2L/min. Different geometrical structures, e.g.; knotted and twisted, U- and spiral-shaped CNT ribbons were observed in the images of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The widths of the CNT ribbons measured varied in the ranges 18-80nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed five types of carbon binding peaks, C-C/C-H (∼77%), C-O-H (∼9%), -C-O-C (∼5%), C=O (∼5%) and -O-C=O (∼3%). The ratio of intensities of G and D bands, IG/ID was 1.61 analysed by Raman Spectroscopy. CNT ribbons grown on the surface of FA have potential for the fabrication of high-strength composite materials with polymer and metal.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. dilip.nath@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Dilip C D
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Nath
authors.forename: Veena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sahajwalla
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon; D002384:Catalysis; D060729:Coal Ash; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D052638:Particulate Matter
chemical_list: D060729:Coal Ash; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D052638:Particulate Matter; D002244:Carbon