Efficient carbon nanotube growth from pyrolysis of citric acid-based small organic molecules

We prepare carbon nanotubes based on the cross-linking reaction between small organic molecules citric acid and amino urea or ethylenediamine. Factors affecting the yield of carbon nanotube are optimized and catalytic effect of hydrated metal nitrate on carbon nanotube growth is investigated. The results demonstrate that carbon nanotube can grow in a wide range of urea content. Even two-dimensional sheet assembled by the prepared carbon nanotubes is observed when ethylenediamine is used. It is believed that such competitive strategy can expand the techniques for efficient, large-scale and low-cost synthesis of carbon nanotubes.