Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes by Arc Discharge in CF₄ Gas Atmosphere

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes were synthesized by arc discharge in a CF 4 gas atmosphere involving fluorine atoms, which are able to terminate carbon bonding, while no fullerenes were synthesized in a CF 4 gas atmosphere. The morphology of these nanotubes was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Based on these results, the synthesized conditions in CF 4 gas were compared with those in other gases, i.e., in CH 4 , H 2 , He and Ar gases. In addition, electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements were performed in order to obtain information about the electronic properties of these nanotubes.