The role of free radical condensates in the production of carbon nanotubes during the hydrocarbon CVD process

Hydrocarbon CVD synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is not well understood because it does not follow intuitive gas phase kinetics. Consequently, progress towards industrialization of CNT synthesis has been arduously slow. However, an intuitive understanding of the CNT CVD process can be gained through understanding of the chemistry of free radical condensates that are produced during the pyrolysis of any hydrocarbon. It is our contention that free radical condensates act as an intermediate and reaction medium for hydrocarbon-based CVD production of nanotubes. The insight gained from this understanding can be used to explain much of the literature and to coherently direct the efforts to industrialize the CVD process and produce higher quality nanotubes for materials research and commercial exploitation. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.