Carbon nano-tube manufacturing method and carbon nano-tube manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The method for producing carbon nanotubes of the invention employs a carbon source that contains carbon and is decomposed when heated and a catalyst that serves as a catalyst for production of carbon nanotubes from the carbon source, to synthesize the carbon nanotubes on a heated support placed in a reactor, the method comprising a catalyst loading step in which the catalyst starting material, as the starting material for the catalyst, is distributed over the support to load the catalyst onto the support, a synthesis step in which the carbon source is distributed over the support to synthesize the carbon nanotubes on the support, and a separating step in which a separating gas stream is distributed over the support to separate the carbon nanotubes from the support, wherein the catalyst loading step, the synthesis step and the separating step are carried out while keeping the support in a heated state and switching supply of the catalyst starting material, the carbon source and the separating gas stream.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing carbon nanotubes and a device for manufacturing carbon nanotubes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a production method for mass-producing carbon nanotubes having various structures at low cost and on a large scale, and a carbon nanotube production apparatus used in the production method. Background technique [0002] Carbon nanotubes are materials having a rolled graphene sheet structure and a one-dimensional structure with a very large aspect ratio (see Non-Patent Document 1). It is known that carbon nanotubes have excellent mechanical strength and flexibility; have semiconductor or metal conductivity; and also have very stable chemical properties. As methods for producing carbon nanotubes, arc discharge method, laser evaporation method, and chemical vapor growth method (hereinafter referred to as CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method) have been reported. In particular, ...

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Problems solved by technology

Since the continuous supply of these three gases is the premise, there is no need to mention the switching operation of the gas.

In addition, in the method of Patent Document 1, the catalyst is attached to the carbon nanotubes, so impurities are mixed into the product.

In addition, according to the method of Patent Document 1, the carbon precipitates remaining in the fluidized bed cannot be removed, and the carbon precipitates will accumulate

As a result, until more carbon nanotubes are obtained, the particles of the fluidization medium are covered with carbon and cannot be used.

[0027] Thus, in the conventional fluidized bed production method, it is impossible to produce high-purity carbon nanotubes

Also, low productivity

Catalyst height control is difficult due to simultaneous carbon nanotube synthesis and catalyst loading

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