Effect of catalyst on carbon nanotubes synthesis on titanium diboride via chemical vapor deposition

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were in situ synthesized on titanium diboride (TiB₂) substrates using different catalysts (Fe, Co, and Ni) via ethylene chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The effects of various catalysts on the quality and quantity of grown CNTs were investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman characterization techniques. Next, as-received powders were sintered by spark plasma sintering to obtain compact bulk composites. The effects of the metallic catalysts as sintering aids on the microstructural and mechanical properties of TiB₂-based composites were also studied. Results show that metal Ni not only plays a significant role in the catalyst to produce larger numbers of CNTs but also promotes the densification of TiB₂ ceramics in sintering and has been shown to provide good reinforcement. Maximum values of flexural strength (1093 ± 19 MPa) and toughness (13.9 ± 0.3 MPa ·m^1/2) were obtained using the Ni catalyst, which were significantly higher than the same values for Fe and Co catalysts.