Gas dynamic and time resolved imaging studies of single-wall carbon nanotubes growth in the laser ablation process

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were synthesized by laser ablation of Ni-Co-graphite composite targets at 1200 °C under flowing argon. The effects of the temperature gradient near the target and the gas flow rate on the diameter distribution of SWNTs were studied in order to understand their growth dynamics. The diameter distribution of the SWNTs, analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, was dependent on the gas flow rate when there was a temperature gradient around the target. Time resolved scattering images from the ablated species at different flow rates indicated that velocities of backward moving species increased with increasing flow rate. These findings are used to estimate the time required for nucleation and the growth of SWNTs.