Catalytic Conversion of Graphene into Carbon Nanotubes via Gold Nanoclusters at Low Temperatures

• Published in: ACS nano Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 501 - 511
• Main Authors: Dervishi, Enkeleda, Bourdo, Shawn, Driver, Joshua A, Watanabe, Fumiya, Biris, Alexandru R, Ghosh, Anindya, Berry, Brian, Saini, Viney, Biris, Alexandru S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 24-01-2012
• Subjects: Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Catalysis; Catalysts; Cold Temperature; Conversion; Crystallization - methods; Gold; Gold - chemistry; Graphene; Graphite - chemistry; Macromolecular Substances - chemistry; Materials Testing; Molecular Conformation; Nanostructure; Nanotubes, Carbon - chemistry; Nanotubes, Carbon - ultrastructure; Oxides; Particle Size; Surface Properties; Temperature; carbon nanotubes; gold nanoparticles; chemical vapor deposition; graphene; radio frequency heating/excitation
• ISSN: 1936-0851; 1936-086X
• DOI: 10.1021/nn203836q

Here, we present the catalytic conversion of graphene layers into carbon nanotubes (CNTs), in the presence of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) without the need for an additional carbon source. We have demonstrated that this catalytic process takes place at temperatures as low as 500 °C. No other oxide supports decorated with AuNPs were found to grow CNTs at this temperature. These findings highlight the high activity of graphene when used as a support for catalytic reactions.