Preparation of Carbon Nanotubes from Methane on Ni/Cu/A1 Catalyst

A series of Ni/Cu/Al catalyst samples were prepared by the co-precipitation method. Carbon nanotubes with large inner diameters are successfully synthesized from methane on Ni/Cu/Al catalyst by adding sodium carbonate. The effects of the copper content and amounts of sodium carbonate on the morphology and microstructures of carbon nanotubes were investigated by CO adsorption and TEM technique. The experimental results showed that copper can influence both the catalytic activity and catalyst life. Best result was obtained when the copper content was 15％. Addition of sodium carbonate favors the formation of carbon nanotubes with large inner diameters. The growth mechanism of carbon nanotubes with large inner diameter is discussed.