Hi there,
Commonly known theory for the growth of carbon nano tubes/fibers, is that a metal carbide which is metastable is formed and then this carbide decomposes to form graphene layers and form tubes/fibers at the growth temperature. However, I have not come across a single article which show the presence of a metal carbide (say Nickel carbide) on the grown nanotubes. So does this mean, all the carbide is decomposed?
thanks in advance
Hi Deepak ,
Apart from CNT issue, all intermetallic compounds (including carbides) are intermediate or metastable compounds which theoretically should be decomposed into stable components if a sufficient time and temperature are introduced.
About your issue, if you focused on CNT synthesis mechanism you'll find that carbides (as catalysts) represented only the base that CNT growing on it (or precisely from it) and as a supplier for carbon atoms interning in CNT building process. finally the bonds between CNT and carbide base are not so strong (mostly secondary bonds), so at the action of moving or harvesting CNT it'll break leaving a free carbon nano tubes.
That why you don't see carbides on growing CNTs.
Regards.
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