Synthesis of carbon nanotubes from in situ generated cobalt nanoparticles and carbon monoxide

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes were synthesized via a catalytic process of CO disproportionation over the in situ formed cobalt nanoparticles on an MgO support. For this purpose Co(CO)3NO was used as the source of both cobalt and carbon monoxide. Well-dispersed cobalt nanoparticles supported on MgO gave rise to a narrow size distribution for the generated nanotubes. The carbonaceous materials were separated from the product by a simple acid-treatment method and their structural and morphological characterizations were performed by XRD and TEM. Thermogravimetric analysis of the HCl-treated sample revealed a weight content of about 68% nanotubes and nanoparticles.