New simple method of carbon nanotube fabrication using welding torch

A new, simple method of carbon nanotube fabrication was developed. The method employed a tungsten-electrode-inert-gas (TIG) welding arc torch, with a graphite electrode used instead of a conventional tungsten electrode in order to prevent contamination of the tungsten vapor and droplets. The substrates used as counterelectrodes for the torch arc were pure graphite and catalyst (Ni, Y)-mixed graphite. The torch arc was operated in open air with both dc and ac modes. Nanotubed surfaces were obtained on catalyst-mixed graphite with the dc and ac modes, and on pure graphite with the ac mode. (Author)