Catalytic conversion of graphene into carbon nanotubes via gold nanoclusters at low temperatures.

Dervishi, Enkeleda; Bourdo, Shawn; Driver, Joshua A; Watanabe, Fumiya; Biris, Alexandru R; Ghosh, Anindya; Berry, Brian; Saini, Viney et al. · ACS Nano · 2012

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

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.

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