Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes from Phenolic Resin Using Nickel Nitrate as a Catalyst Precursor

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with 20-40 nm in diameter and several micro-meters in length were prepared through catalytic pyrolysis of phenol resin at 400-1000 °C under Ar atmosphere using nickel nitrate as a catalyst precursor. Microstructure and morphology of pyrolysed resin were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the onset and optimal growth temperatures of CNTs were 400 and 800 °C respectively. Moreover, the optimal weight ratio of Ni catalyst to phenol resin was 0.75%.