Optimization of Carbon Nano Tubes Synthesis using Fluidized bed Chemical Vapor Deposition: A Statistical Approach

Fluidized Bed Chemical Vapor Deposition (FBCVD) has been introduced as a promising method for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesis because of its large scale, low cost and high yield production. However, there is no clear relation between synthesis parameters and CNTs growth; therefore more data are required on FBCVD synthesis of CNTs. This research intended to investigate the effects of some synthesis parameters namely reaction temperature, catalyst loading and deposition time on FBCVD growth of CNTs. In present study, CNTs were synthesized through decomposition of acetone over prepared catalysts which are Iron and Molybdenum supported on Alumina. After each run the product was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The effects of parameters on carbon deposition yield were statistically studied using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimum quality and yield of the CNTs were achieved at 750 °C reaction temperature, 40min of deposition time and utilizing 5 gm of catalysts loading.