Gold Nanoparticles as the Catalyst of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Synthesis

Catalysts

关键词: chemical vapor deposition;    carbon nanotubes;    graphene;    growth mechanism;   

DOI  :  10.3390/catal4010038

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Gold nanoparticles have been proven to act as efficient catalysts for chemical reactions, such as oxidation and hydrogen production. In this review we focus on a different aspect of the catalysis of gold nanoparticles; single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) synthesis. This is not a traditional meaning of catalytic reaction, but SWCNTs cannot be synthesized without nanoparticles. Previously, gold was considered as unsuitable metal species as the catalyst of SWCNT synthesis. However, gold nanoparticles with diameters smaller than 5 nm were found to effectively produce SWCNTs. We discuss the catalysis of gold and related metals for SWCNT synthesis in comparison with conventional catalysts, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.