Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for producing single-wall carbon nanotubes. The apparatus comprises a plasma torch having a plasma tube adapted to receive an inert gas and form an inert gas plasma; a feeder adapted to direct a carbon-containing substance and a metal catalyst towards said inert gas plasma so that the carbon-containing substance and the metal catalyst contact said inert gas plasma downstream of where said inert gas is introduced in said plasma tube, to thereby form a plasma comprising atoms or molecules of carbon and the atoms of said metal; and a condenser for condensing the atoms or molecules of carbon and the atoms of said metal to form single-wall carbon nanotubes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 1, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 6, 2011
Assignee:
Institut National De La Recherche Scientifique
Inventors:
Olivier Smiljanic, Barry L. Stansfield, Frederic Larouche