Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanotubes on clay minerals Original Research Article

Novel clay–carbon tube composites were synthesized by catalytic decomposition of acetylene over iron-catalyst centers supported on montmorillonite surfaces by ion-exchange. TEM and SEM micrographs show the growth of carbon tubes rooted to the clay surfaces, while the iron-nanoparticles (which catalyze the formation of carbon-nanotubes) are detected and characterized by Mössbauer spectroscopy, mainly as ferromagnetic cementite (Fe3C). In the hybrid materials the clay retains its exchange properties making possible the preparation of clay–carbon nanotube derivatives that are valuable for various technological applications.