Thermodynamic calculations on the catalytic growth of multiwall carbon nanotubes

TL;DR

This paper presents a thermodynamic model for the catalytic growth of multiwall carbon nanotubes, highlighting the role of concentration gradients over temperature gradients in the growth process.

Contribution

The study introduces an analytical thermodynamic model that predicts growth time and rate based on heat and carbon concentration distributions.

Findings

Growth driven mainly by concentration gradient within catalyst

Derived analytical formulas for growth time and rate

Heat distribution and carbon concentration computed in catalyst

Abstract

We have developed a thermodynamic model of the catalytic growth of multiwall carbon nanotubes from hydrocarbon precursors at elevated temperature. Using this model we have computed the heat distribution, and carbon concentration in the catalyst. Calculations delivered a analytical formula for the growth time and growth rate. We find that the growth is mainly driven by a concentration gradient within the catalyst, rather than a temperature gradient.