Synthesis of carbon nanotubes via toluene-thermal reduction process at moderate temperature

Carbon nanotubes were synthesized with toluene as carbon source and solvent at 350^∘C under stiring situation. In this process, La/Ni were used as catalyst, which were reduced via LaCl₃ and NiCl₂ with sodium as reductant. The products were characterized with X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The carbon nanotubes had diameters ranging from 100–200 nm and lengths ranging from hundreds of nanometers to several micrometers. The yield of carbon nanotubes, in accordance with TEM observations was estimated to be about 70%.