Formation of diamond-like carbon balls, self aligned and nonaligned nanotubes at the tip of the cathode during the synthesis of fullerenes in the DC arc discharge experiment

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies of carbon soot evaporated from the anode and deposited at the tip of the carbon cathode have been carried out to signify the catalytic effect of Cu. During the discharge electrons are accelerated towards the anode and carbon positive ions are accelerated towards the cathode due to the negative potential at the cathode relative to anode. Aligned and nonaligned carbon nanotubes were observed in the soot deposited at the cathode during the experiment. The diameter of the nonaligned carbon nanotubes is small as compared to the aligned carbon nanotubes. Diamond-like carbon balls (DLCB) are observed at the center of the deposited soot while the aligned carbon nanotubes were observed nearby the DLCB and nonaligned carbon nanotubes are observed at the edges of the cathode.