Fabrication of Y-junction carbon nanotubes by reduction of carbon dioxide with sodium borohydride

Y-junction carbon nanotubes with a bamboo-shaped structure have been synthesized by reduction of CO2 with NaBH4 at 700 °C. The X-ray power diffraction pattern indicates that the products are hexagonal graphite, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images reveal the morphology and structure of carbon nanotubes. The effects of reaction temperature on the growth of the Y-junction carbon nanotubes were also discussed in the paper. Reduction of supercritical CO2 with sodium borohydride is a promising green chemical method for economically producing Y-junction carbon nanotubes.