Production of carbon nanotubes

First, the historical fact of the discovery of carbon nanotubes is reviewed. Then, production of high crystallinity multi-walled carbon nanotubes by DC arc discharge evaporation of pure graphite rod in pure hydrogen gas is discussed. The smallest carbon nanotubes included in the core of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes are shown. Carbon chain included in the core of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes and their special Raman peaks near 1850cm-1 also are discussed. Single-wall carbon nanotubes also are produced by two types of DC arc discharge method. One is arc evaporation of graphite anode including catalyst 4%Ni and 1%Y in helium gas, and the other is arc evaporation of graphite anode including 1%F e in H₂ and AI mixed gas. The latter can produce macroscopic web of single-wall carbon nanotubes. Production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by thermal CVD method using camphor as carbon source is also mentioned. The method enables us macroscopic production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes.