Study of Graphite DC Arc for Preparing Carbon Nanotubes

Preparation of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The production of carbon nanotubes is investigated using a graphite DC Arc plasma column. The goal was to look into the experimental variables that influence the creation of nano-structures. The intensities of consecutive ionization stages in the line spectrum are used to calculate excitation temperatures. The excitation temperature and delay time have been calculated and found to have an exponential relationship. Electron densities in the arc plasma are also calculated for various times and found to be falling exponentially as the plasma cools down. Carbon nanotubes generated during the arc are collected as soot from the cathode and analysed for their shape, content and structural characteristics. The nanotubes that are generated are found to be multi-walled in nature.