Growth analysis and high-yield synthesis of aligned-stacked branched nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes using sesame oil as a natural botanical hydrocarbon precursor

Abstract

A simple spray pyrolysis-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is employed for the growth of aligned-stack of branched nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (bN-CNTs) using less cost effective sesame oil as natural hydrocarbon precursor. The acetonitrile (CH3CN) and ferrocene (C10H10Fe) are used for the N-doping and catalyst, respectively for the growth of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) in aligned form. The Ar gas is passed through liquid thiophene (C4H4S) which is responsible for the branching in aligned-stacked bN-CNTs structure. The aligned-stacked bN-CNTs have been grown inside the quartz tube and no additional substrate has been used. The inner wall of quartz tubes contains black thick flake type deposition which contains aligned-stacked bN-CNT. The deposited flakes products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. A suitable mechanism is elucidated for the growth of aligned-stacked bN-CNT. We have found that the initial primary growth of N-CNTs show the base growth, however secondary bN-CNTs show nearly similar diameter and follows tip growth mechanism. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.