Synthesis of thin bundled single walled carbon nanotubes and nanohorn hybrids by arc discharge technique in open air atmosphere

• SWCNT–SWCNH hybrids are synthesized by arc discharge in open air at less cost.
• Spherical (size ~ 25 nm) SWCNHs are formed along with SWCNT bundles (dia ~ 5.7 nm).
• The technique is simple and cost effective compared to other techniques to make hybrids.

Cost-effective synthesis of single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and single walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH) hybrids, in a single step, by electric arc discharge technique in open air, at lower current densities is reported. The rate of production of the hybrids is 3–5 g/h. The presence of SWCNTs and SWCNHs is confirmed by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). In addition to conventional larger Dahlia-like aggregates of nanohorns, unique nearly-spherical shaped and relatively smaller sized aggregates (mean size ~ 25 nm) of nanohorns are formed along with thin bundles (mean diameter ~ 5.7 nm) of SWCNTs.