Production of Carbon Nanotubes at Carbon/Water Interface by Pulsed-Laser Ablation

Carbon nanotubes have been produced by laser ablation of graphite sample immersed in water. The experiment reveals the dependence of nanotube production on the structures of the sample. The more perfect the layer structure of the graphite sample is the easier is the production of the carbon nanotubes. Production of the carbon nanotubes is also affected by the orientation of the lattice surface of the graphite sample. Glassy carbon cannot produce nanotube at all. Based on careful analysis of the experimental results, mechanism for the production of carbon nanotubes on the carbon/water interface is suggested. Water on the sample quenches the laser-vaporized species on the surface of the sample so as to provide the reactive material for the growth of the nanotubes. The perfect crystal lattice on the graphite sample surface can distribute the vaporized material to be nearly two-dimensional and the environment favorites the production of the carbon nanotubes.