Experimental characterization of Carbon Nanotubes on the Stainless Steel Substrate from the Controllable Flame

Preparation of carbon nanotubes from the controllable flame is a kind of new method. Experimental apparatus is including controllable flame burner, temperature measuring instrument, mass flow meter and catalyst preparation system, etc. The sampling substrate is the growth platform of carbon nanotubes in the flame. The type316 stainless steel is selected as sampling substrate in the experiment. Carbon monoxide provides carbon source and hydrogen/helium premixed gas acts as protection gas. Characterization of the carbon nanotubes on the stainless steel substrate from the controllable flame is by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). It was found in the experimental that the iron-based catalyst particles are mainly distributed in the ends of the carbon nanotubes. The experimental results reveal that the growth of carbon nanotubes will be very exuberant if the sampling time is controlled within ten minutes.