Synthesis of helically coiled carbon nanotubes by reducing ethyl ether with metallic zinc

Helically coiled carbon nanotubes (HCNTs) with diameter of 50-100 nm were obtained on a large scale by reducing ethyl ether with metallic zinc at 700 °C. As the temperature was raised to 750 °C, most of the products were solid carbon spheres besides HCNTs. X-ray diffraction pattern and the Raman spectroscopy indicate that the product is graphite phase. HCNTs with diameter of 50-100 nm in large quantity were found in the products.