The Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes by Pulsed-Laser Ablation of a Nickel/Carbon Composite Target in Ethanol or Ambient Air

A simple method for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reported, where a pulsed laser was used to ablate a nickel/carbon composite target in ethanol or ambient air. We found that a large amount of multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) could be obtained when the carbon source, nickel catalyst and laser parameters were carefully adjusted. The pulsed laser could produce carbon vapor, nickel catalysts, appropriate temperature and reductive environment, which facilitated the growth of CNTs by a tip-end growth mode. Due to the special synthesis conditions, the MWCNTs obtained exhibited many unique features, for example, a periodic structure along the growth direction and an ultrafast growth rate.