Characterization of bamboo-shaped CNTs prepared using deposition-precipitation catalyst

The deposition-precipitation method was employed to prepare the Ni/Al catalyst precursor, Ni(OH)2/Al, which was then calcined and reduced to form Ni/Al catalyst. The results showed that the active nickel nanoparticles were uniform in size with the diameters of 10–20 nm. After the catalytic decomposition of methane, a mass of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been synthesized. The diameters of the CNTs were also in the range of 10–20 nm and the high-resolution transmission electron microscope images exhibited that the CNTs have a bamboo-shaped structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization on the CNTs showed that the base-growth mode predominated in the deposition-precipitation catalyst and the nitrogen as a carried gas could stimulate the formation of the bamboo-shaped CNTs.