Measurement of anode surface temperature in carbon nanomaterial production by arc discharge method

Nano-graphite particles, multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT), and pyrolytic graphite were prepared at different positions of the anode surface in an arc discharge. Graphite electrodes were employed for the arc discharge under helium environment at atmospheric pressure. Nano-sized carbon products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. During the arc discharge, two-color pyrometry combined with a high-speed camera was conducted to measure the temperature distribution of the anode surface. The growth temperature of pyrolytic graphite, MWNT, and nano-graphite particles were in the ranges of 2400–2600 K, 2600–2700 K, and 2700–3500 K, respectively. The local temperature of anode surface is a critical parameter to determine the products with different morphologies. The formation mechanism of these carbon nanomaterials is suggested based on the local temperature of anode surface and their thermodynamic stability.