Synthesis of carbon nanotubes by combustion of a paraffin wax candle

Abstract

A method for the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using paraffin wax candles is reported. The MWCNTs were grown on a cobalt-coated silicon wafer with a combustion rate of 80 s at a flame temperature of 700°C. The MWCNTs are 15–20 nm in diameter and ∼1–3 µm in length. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the IG/ID ratio is 0.88. The growth of the MWCNTs was studied using different combustion times. The amount of MWCNTs decreased for experiments longer than 80 s, presumably because the MWCNTs were burned off with a long stay in the flame.