The use of metal boride precursors and nanoparticles for carbon nanotube growth

AEI 72

Jennifer V. Romero, jvromero@syr.edu and James T. Spencer, jtspence@syr.edu. Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Center for Science and Technology, Syracuse, NY 13244-4100
Carbon nanotubes are generated by nebulizing a solution of titanium (IV) chloride, decaborane, and solvent into a heated tube. The carbon nanotubes generated have varying diameters ranging from about 100 to 250 nm and an approximate inner diameter of 50 nm. Carbon-based nanorods have also been observed to grow from titanium boride particles by passing nebulized acetonitrile through the dispersed titanium boride inside a heated tube. We believe that metal boride nanoparticles are generated as the mixture goes through the heated tube, catalyzing the growth of the carbon nanotubes. Recently, nickel boride nanoparticles have been generated from combining nickel (II) chloride, sodium borohydride, and surfactants. Electron microscopic techniques, such as TEM and SEM, and powder X-ray diffraction have been used to characterize both the nanotubes and nanoparticles. Work is in progress to employ the isolated crystalline, nanosized, and unaggregated particles to further grow carbon nanotubes.