Growth of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes from Solid Supported Heterogeneous Catalysts: Achievements and Challenges

Abstract

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have gained worldwide attention because of their exceptional electronic, optical, and mechanical properties, which are contingent on their structures denoted by chiral indices (n, m). To fully harness the extraordinary properties and advance SWNT-based technology, large scale synthesis of SWNTs with a narrow chirality distribution or even a specific (n, m) is highly demanded. Among various SWNT preparation techniques, chemical vapor deposition growth from solid supported heterogeneous catalysts has emerged as a promising approach in terms of large yield and (n, m) structure control. In this review, we provide an overview of the progress in developing heterogeneous catalysts for bulk synthesis of SWNTs. Firstly, the advantages and disadvantages of using solid supported catalysts for chemical vapor deposition growth of SWNTs are discussed. Secondly, the key components in supported catalysts, including the metallic component and the nature of support material, as well as their respective roles in affecting the catalyst performances and SWNT chirality distribution, are highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and future directions in the field of SWNT synthesis from solid supported catalysts are proposed.