Synthesis of carbon nanotubes by pyrolysis of solid Ni(dmg)2

We describe the high yield synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and the determination of the optimum production conditions. The method involves the catalytic pyrolysis of solid Ni(dmg)2 under an Ar atmosphere. The obtained materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). The data revealed the formation of MWCNTs surrounded by a varying quantity of byproducts such as amorphous carbon and metallic particles, depending mainly on the reaction temperature. Pyrolysis of Ni(dmg)2 at 900 °C results in the production of nanotube material with the highest degree of crystallinity.