A correlation between morphology 
of the carbonaceous deposit and the current distribution 
in the carbon arc discharge for nanosynthesis

Authors:   Yao-Wen Yeh, Yevgeny Raitses, and Nan Yao 


Abstract:  Synthesis of carbon nanotubes by atmospheric pressure arc discharge involves ablation of the graphite anode and deposition of carbonaceous products on the cathode surface. This cathode deposit exhibits distinct spatial structural variations. In particular, three different morphologies with an axial symmetry where a rim of pyrolytic carbon separates the innermost core with multiwalled carbon nanotubes from the outermost ring with powdery amorphous carbon soot. It is shown experimentally that there is a strong correlation between the arc current distribution at the cathode, the temperature of the deposit, and the nanotube forming area.
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Submitted to:  Carbon
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 Download PPPL-5184 (pdf 2.4 MB 13 pp)
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