Eco Factor: New process reduces carbon emissions during CNT manufacturing process.
The size, strength and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes have made them an indispensable ingredient in electronics, medicine and other fields. However, the process commonly used to produce carbon nanotubes may release several hundred tons of chemicals and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere each year.
While manufacturing CNTs (carbon nanotubes) using current technology manufacturers combine hydrogen with a feedstock gas, such as methane or carbon monoxide. They then heat the combination in a reactor that contains a metal catalyst like nickel or iron, which then forms CNTs. The problem is that when CNTs form, compounds which haven’t reacted are often released into the atmosphere.
MIT researchers have now developed a new process which doesn’t require additional heat and uses unheated ethylene and hydrogen with several of the compounds, one by one, to see which combination led to the best growth. The team observed that certain alkynes have at least two carbon atoms that produced the best growth. The process results in a dramatic reduction in emissions and energy consumption.
Via: MIT
