Magnetite nanoparticles by organic-phase synthetic route for carbon nanotube growth

In the present study, monodisperse Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 10 nm to 25 nm were synthesized using a simple organic-phase synthetic route and these monodispersed nanoparticles were then used as catalyst for seed growth of carbon nanotube. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were reduced to iron nanoparticles assembly by Argon mixed with 5% Hydrogen gas at 400 °C and then it was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and powder diffraction X-ray spectroscopic techniques. XRD indicates that iron clusters are bcc in nature and AFM image shows that the iron nanoparticles assemblies are 50–65 nm in size. To control the agglomeration of iron nanoparticles, nanoporous hybrid support material of Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ was used. However, this matrix also fails to stop the agglomeration of iron nanoparticles mainly due to the inhomogeneous distribution of pore diameters. TMA analysis of iron clusters shows a temperature-dependent morphology, therefore, the CNTs growth temperature critically ascertain the nature and structure of CNTs.