Catalytic growth of 0.4 nm single-walled carbon nanotubes aligned inside porous zeolite crystals

We report our recent study on processes of decomposition of tripropylamine (TPA) molecules in the channels of AlPO4‐5 (AFI) and Co‐incorporated AlPO4‐5 (CoAPO‐5) zeolite crystals, by means of Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra and thermogravimetry (TG) techniques. In comparison with pure AlPO4‐5 crystals, the carbonization temperature of TPA molecules inside the channels of Co‐AFI crystals is notably decreased; indicating that Co atoms incorporated in the AFI framework plays an important catalyst role. These incorporated Co atoms are also favorable to the formation of the 0.4 nm single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in the channels, characterized by a significant decrease in nanotubes formation energy. The resulting SWNTs have higher filling density in the channels than that fabricated without catalyst Co. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)