A new fast method for ceramic foam impregnation: Application to the CCVD synthesis of carbon nanotubes

A new process that allows preparing, in a single step, good washcoats of catalytic materials for the catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in reticulated ceramic foams is reported. It is shown that the washcoats, obtained by impregnation using viscous slurries made of finely divided powders dispersed in different media, cover the total surface of foams with good adhesions. The catalytic activity with regards to the CNT synthesis is finally verified, showing that our new fast impregnation process makes possible to get materials with final architectures suitable for heterogeneous catalysis applications.

A new process that allows to prepare, in a single step, good washcoats of catalytic materials in reticulated ceramic foams is reported. Viscous slurries made of finely divided powders dispersed in different media are used to obtain deposits which cover the total surface of foams with good adhesion. Their catalytic activity towards the CCVD synthesis of CNT is verified. Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide