Abstract Submitted to the NANOTUBE'02 Workshop:

We have produced carbon nanotubes and onions by catalytic decomposition of carbon monoxide on the surface of catalyst metal particles. Metal particles were produced by thermal decomposition of metalorganic precursors in an aerosol reactor. Carrier gas was saturated by vaporised metalorganics and carried to heated-tube reactor where decomposition occured at 600-1100ºC. Nucleation of metal particles occured within the reactor due to supersaturation of metal vapor. Particles were characterised with TEM and electrical mobility method. CFD-calculations were realised to determine experimental conditions. Nickel particles were produced by decomposition of nickel acetylacetonate. Particle diameters were 2-20 nm depending on flow composition and rate. Decomposition of CO in the presence of nickel yielded carbon nanotubes (CNT), given that residence time, temperature and CO flow rate were adequate. CNT were 1-3 nm thick and up to 70 nm long. CNT were singlewalled and partly bundled. Catalytic activity of copper particles was studied briefly. 5-20 nm copper particles were produced by copper acetylacetonate vapor decomposition. CO decomposition in the presence of copper particles resulted in carbon nanoparticle formation. Carbon nanoparticles were 5-30 nm in diameter. Particles were formed of concentric carbon layers surrounding a hollow core, i.e. we produced hollow carbon nano-onions.