Novel catalyst based on Co-complex to prepare MWCNT

A new Co-complex as catalytic agent {[(Pentyl)4N]3CoBr3}Cl2 to prepare Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been synthesized through the reaction of tetrapentylammonium bromide (Pentyl)4NBr and cobalt chloride (CoCl2) in aqueous solutions. MWCNT were obtained by spray pyrolysis of toluene as carbon source using this new Co-complex as catalyst. The synthesized catalytic agent was characterized by Ultraviolet-visible Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and Thermal Analysis techniques. Spectroscopic results indicated that the new Co-complex has suitable characteristics to grow MWCNTs by spray pyrolysis. The MWCNTs were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction techniques. The MWCNTs grow vertically aligned with respect to the glass tube surface and are several microns long with diameters ranging from 20 to 50 nm. XRD patterns exhibit the 2-H graphite characteristics peaks of MWCNT as well as fcc-cobalt nanoparticles.