Growth of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Disproportionation of CO over Co-Re/SiO₂ Catalysts

Abstract

In this work, a series of silica supported Co-Re catalysts was prepared and tested for the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) by carbon monoxide disproportionation at 750 - 950 °C. The catalysts were characterized by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). To follow nature and quality of the SWNT formed, Raman spectroscopy, temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used. The effects of reaction parameters such as molar ratio of Co to Re, reduction temperature, and reaction temperature were investigated and found that the synergism of Co and Re in the catalytic production of SWNT leads to the growth of SWNT with high selectivity in the range of studied temperatures.