Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes synthesized with carbon nanotubes as catalyst

Nitrogen-doped carbon (CNx) nanotubes were synthesized with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as catalyst by detonation-assisted chemical vapor deposition. CNx nanotubes exhibited compartmentalized bamboo-like structure. Electron energy loss spectroscopy and elemental mapping studies indicated that the synthesized tubes contained high concentration of nitrogen (ca. 17.3 at.%), inhomogeneously distributed with an enrichment of nitrogen within the compartments. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of pyridine-like N and graphitic N incorporated into the graphitic network. The catalytic activity of CNTs for CNx nanotube growth was ascribed to the nanocurvature and opening edges of CNT tips, which adsorbed Cn/CN species and assembled them into CNx nanotubes.

Graphical abstractNitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes with compartmentalized structure and high nitrogen concentration (ca. 17.3 at.%), were synthesized with carbon nanotubes as catalyst by detonation-assisted chemical vapor deposition.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Nitrogen-doped carbon (CNx) nanotubes were synthesized with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as catalyst. ► Compartmentalized CNx nanotubes contained high nitrogen concentration. ► The compartment layers contained an enrichment of nitrogen. ► Pyridine-like N and graphitic N were incorporated into the graphitic network. ► CNT tips adsorbed Cn/CN species and assembled them into CNx nanotube.