Identification and technical accessibility of the carbon self-assembly concept hidden in catalytic carbon nanotube evolution

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes can readily form by the catalysis of lanthanide oxides. The formed tubes are unusually separated from the catalyst particles, which leads to a straightforward identification of the self-assembly of carbon particles that is hidden in the chaotic carbon-catalyst-hybrid system of catalytic carbon nanotube evolution. Following the identified self-assembly concept, conventional bulk activated carbon (AC) has been successfully transformed into CNTs through a detonation-induced cracking of AC and a real-time re-organization.