The Effect of Temperature on Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized using Trimetallic Catalyst from Waste Cooking Palm Oil Precursor

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the effects of synthesis temperature ranging from 650-900° C on carbon nanotubes (CNT) morphology. The synthesis was performed using thermal chemical vapor deposition method. Waste cooking palm oil was used as an economical and bio-hydrocarbon precursor. The Fe-Ni-Co catalyst was used as trimetallic catalyst which was deposited using spin coating method. The samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscope, micro-Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The analysis shows that the synthesis temperature significantly affects the density, diameter and quality of the CNT produced. The synthesis temperature of 750° C was considered the optimum temperature for smaller diameter CNT and good crystallinity (ID/IG ~0.82).