Sains Malaysiana 48(6)(2019): 1187–1194

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2019-4806-05

Effect of Reaction Time and Catalyst Feed Rate towards Carbon Nanotubes Yields and Purity by Using Rotary Reactor

(Kesan Tindak Balas Masa dan Kadar Suapan Pemangkin ke Arah Hasil dan Ketulenan Karbon Nanotiub dengan Menggunakan Reaktor Putar)

RABITA FIRDAUS, NUR SYAHIDAH AFANDI, MEHRNOUSH KHAVARIAN & ABDUL RAHMAN MOHAMED*

School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 NIibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Received: 13 August 2018/Accepted: 3 December 2018

ABSTRACT

Continuous production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method was investigated in a rotary reactor. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of catalyst feeding rate and reaction time on the MWCNTs production yield and purity. Bimetallic Co-Mo supported on MgO was used for the growth of MWCNTs and methane gas was used as the carbon precursor. The results indicated that the highest yield of MWCNTs production was attained at the reaction time of 180 min and catalyst feeding rate of 100 mg/min; this sample also had the highest purity (99.16%). SEM and TEM analyses of the synthesized product confirmed that most of the MWCNTs were sinuous and entangled with a uniform diameter. Raman spectroscopy indicated that the as-produced MWCNTs were mostly graphitic with few disordered carbon and impurities. The results highlighted that synthesized MWCNTs were highly pure which eliminates the need for MWCNTs purification process.

Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; catalyst feed rate; chemical vapor deposition (CVD); reaction time

ABSTRAK

Pengeluaran tiub nano karbon berbilang dinding (MWCNTs) secara berterusan melalui proses penguraian wap bermangkin (CVD) telah dijalankan dalam sebuah reaktor berputar. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji kesan kadar kemasukan pemangkin dan kadar masa reaksi terhadap hasil pengeluaran MWCNTs dan ketulenan. Gabungan dwi logam Co-Mo tersokong di atas MgO telah digunakan untuk pertumbuhan MWCNTs dan gas metana digunakan sebagai prekursor karbon. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa pengeluaran tertinggi pengeluaran MWCNTs dicapai pada kadar masa reaksi 180 min dan kadar kemasukan pemangkin 100 mg/min; sampel ini juga berketulenan tinggi (99.16%). Analisis SEM dan TEM terhadap produk yang disintesis itu mengesahkan bahawa kebanyakan MWCNTs adalah bergabung dan terikat dengan diameter seragam. Spektroskopi Raman menunjukkan bahawa MWCNTs yang dihasilkan kebanyakannya adalah grafit dengan sedikit karbon dan bendasing. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa MWCNTs yang disintesis adalah sangat tulen dan tidak memerlukan proses penulenan MWCNTs.

Kata kunci: Kadar kemasukan pemangkin; kadar masa reaksi; karbon nanotiub; penguraian wap bermangkin

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*Corresponding author; email: chrahman@usm.my