Growing of Carbon Nanotubes from Hydrocarbons in an Arc Plasma

A new method of synthesis of multilayer carbon nanotubes from liquid hydrocarbons is proposed. The interaction of an electric arc, fi ring between an anode and a cathode submerged in a thick layer of a heavy-hydrocarbon liquid, with hydrocarbon molecules was investigated for the purpose of obtaining new light fractions of oil and an atomic carbon. The carbonaceous substance deposited on the cathode was analyzed on an electron microscope. Chromatographic investigations of the products of the plasmachemical decomposition of heavy hydrocarbons have been performed. It was established that carbon nanotubes are present in a large amount in the deposit on the cathode and that the volatile oil fractions include gasoline fractions, acetylene, methane, ethane, and other substances.