Mechanism of single-walled carbon nanotube growth on natural magnesite

Fe K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements were performed in order to elucidate the formation mechanism of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) grown on natural magnesite by pyrolyzing methane gas. It was clearly shown by XAFS analyses that iron metal fine particles, which were reduced from iron oxides by methane gas, worked as a catalyst for SWCNT growth. Structural characteristics of the initial iron state in the natural magnesite were also discussed.