A green precursor for carbon nanotube synthesis

The present work aims to explore a natural renewable precursor for the synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), conforming to the principles of green chemistry. MWCNTs were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition using a natural renewable precursor (coconut oil). Nitrogen gas was used as an inert atmosphere as well as a carrier for the evaporated precursor (flow rate: 100 mL/min). The synthesized MWCNTs are characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, electron dispersive X-ray analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. The diameters of the synthesized nanotubes are in the range of 80 nm to 90 nm under optimum conditions.