Synthesis of carbon nanotube/aluminium composite powders by polymer pyrolysis chemical vapor deposition

A polymer pyrolysis chemical vapor deposition (CVD) route has been established to synthesize homogeneously dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in Al nanoflakes within a closed batch reactor, with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cobalt nitrate as precursors of carbon and catalyst, respectively. A parametric study is conducted to control the CNT growth by optimizing parameters such as synthesis temperature, residence time, and mass ratio of PEG to citric acid to cobalt nitrate. Observations show that the structure, and the size and the amount of CNTs are significantly dependent on the synthesis parameters. The batch reaction mode and the relatively lower synthesis temperature (typically 600°C) qualify the CVD method as a safe and easy way to scale up the synthesis of CNT/Al composite powders for industrial production.