An attempt to prepare carbon nanotubes by carbonizing polyphosphazene nanotubes with high carbon content

Polyphosphazene nanotubes with about 20 nm in inner diameter and 100-200 nm in outer diameter were fabricated easily and then carbonized at 800 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope results showed that the bulk morphology of polyphosphazene nanotubes was retained after carbonization. The carbon content of the carbonized samples reached 93.28%. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectrum showed that the carbonized samples had low graphitization state. The present method can be used for a mass production of carbon nanotubes.