Syntheses of Carbon Nano-materials Using Arc Discharge in Water under Microgravity Conditions

Abstract

The arc-in-liquid method is a simple and inexpensive route for synthesis of the carbon nanotubes, and other related nano-materiales. In this study, we report the effects of gravity on the synthesis of carbon nano-materials by means of arcin-water nethod. The strong heat convection caused by the arc plasma is suppressed under microgravity conditions. Therefore, the boiling flow behavior and temperature distribution in the bubble at the arc plasma have been stabilized in microgravity. As a result, flow and thermal conditions in the bubble by gravity-control bring about a significant influence on the formation of carbon nano-materiales.