Metal-induced graphitization by methane pyrolysis: Its application as a catalyst for single-walled carbon nanotubes

This paper investigated the catalytic activity of cobalt and its alloy with molybdenum for the growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) using the CVD process. The phase transformation of the Co–Mo catalyst was monitored during high temperature methane pyrolysis to determine the catalytic activity of each element for graphitization, and the results can be applied to synthesize SWCNT with high efficiency. Structural changes through the formation of the intermetallic compound Co3Mo and decomposition during the CVD reaction generated the internal instability of the metal catalyst, and this played a crucial role in the nucleation of a graphitic structure and the promotion of SWCNT growth.