The effect of hydrogen on the formation of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes via catalytic pyrolysis of acetonitrile

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes are synthesized by the pyrolysis of CH3CN with/without H2 over MgO supported Fe catalysts at 850 °C in argon flow. In both cases nitrogen is introduced to dope the product with quite different amount. TG analysis, Raman spectroscopy, SEM and TEM results showed that the introduction of H2 is favorable for the formation of multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) containing less nitrogen.