Abstract: Apparatus for plasma synthesis of graphitic products including graphene, comprising: a plasma nozzle coupled to a reaction chamber; means for supplying a process gas to the plasma nozzle, the process gas comprising a carbon-containing species; and means for supplying radio frequency radiation to the process gas within the plasma nozzle, so as to produce a plasma within the nozzle in use, and thereby cause cracking of the carbon-containing species; wherein the plasma nozzle is arranged such that an afterglow of the plasma extends into the reaction chamber, the cracked carbon-containing species also passes into the reaction chamber, and the cracked carbon-containing species recombines within the afterglow, so as to form graphitic products including graphene. A method of plasma-synthesising graphitic products including graphene is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for plasma synthesis of graphitic products including graphene. A plasma nozzle is coupled to a reaction chamber. A process gas is supplied to the plasma nozzle, the process gas comprising a carbon-containing species. Radio frequency radiation is supplied to the process gas within the plasma nozzle, so as to produce a plasma within the nozzle in use, and thereby cause cracking of the carbon-containing species. The plasma nozzle is arranged such that an afterglow of the plasma extends into the reaction chamber. The cracked carbon-containing species also passes into the reaction chamber, and the cracked carbon-containing species recombines within the afterglow, so as to form the graphitic products including graphene.

Abstract: Apparatus for plasma synthesis of carbon nanotubes, comprising: a plasma nozzle coupled to a reaction tube or chamber; means for supplying a process gas to the plasma nozzle, the process gas comprising a carbon-containing species; means for supplying radio frequency radiation to the process gas within the plasma nozzle, so as to sustain a plasma within the nozzle in use, and thereby cause cracking of the carbon-containing species; and means for providing a catalyst; wherein the plasma nozzle is arranged such that an afterglow of the plasma extends into the reaction tube/chamber, the cracked carbon-containing species also pass into the reaction tube/chamber, and the cracked carbon-containing species recombine within the afterglow, so as to form carbon nanotubes in the presence of the catalyst. A method of plasma-synthesising carbon nanotubes is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for plasma synthesis of carbon nanotubes couple a plasma nozzle to a reaction tube/chamber. A process gas comprising a carbon-containing species is supplied to the plasma nozzle. Radio frequency radiation is supplied to the process gas within the plasma nozzle, so as to sustain a plasma within the nozzle in use, and thereby cause cracking of the carbon-containing species. The plasma nozzle is arranged such that an afterglow of the plasma extends into the reaction tube/chamber. The cracked carbon-containing species also pass into the reaction tube/chamber. The cracked carbon-containing species recombine within the afterglow, so as to form carbon nanotubes in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: A floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition system produces nanotubes. The system includes a reaction chamber, a heater for heating a nanotube-material precursor and a catalyst precursor, and an injector for injecting the precursors into the chamber. In the chamber, the catalyst precursor is pyrolysed to produce catalyst particles, and the nanotube-material precursor is pyrolysed in the presence of the catalyst particles in order to produce nanotubes. A controller controls at least one operational parameter, e.g., injection temperatures of the precursors, flow rates of carrier gases of the precursors, and a reaction temperature of the chamber and of the precursors. An injection pipe extends into the chamber to an adjustable extent in order to control the injection temperature of the catalyst precursor and/or the nanotube-material precursor.

Abstract: A floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition system produces nanotubes. The system includes a reaction chamber, a heater for heating a nanotube-material precursor and a catalyst precursor, and an injector for injecting the precursors into the chamber. In the chamber, the catalyst precursor is pyrolysed to produce catalyst particles, and the nanotube-material precursor is pyrolysed in the presence of the catalyst particles in order to produce nanotubes. A controller controls at least one operational parameter, e.g., injection temperatures of the precursors, flow rates of carrier gases of the precursors, and a reaction temperature of the chamber and of the precursors. An injection pipe extends into the chamber to an adjustable extent in order to control the injection temperature of the catalyst precursor and/or the nanotube-material precursor.

Abstract: A floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition method for producing nanotubes, the method including: supplying a nanotube-material precursor and a catalyst precursor, heating said precursors and injecting said precursors into a heated reaction chamber containing a process gas; pyrolyzing the catalyst precursor within the reaction chamber to produce catalyst particles; and pyrolyzing the nanotube-material precursor within the reaction chamber in the presence of the catalyst particles in order to produce nanotubes; wherein the method further comprises controlling the size of the catalyst particles at the point of pyrolysis of the nanotube-material precursor by controlling the operational parameters of the reaction chamber and/or of the precursor supplies. A corresponding system for producing nanotubes is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for plasma synthesis of graphitic products including graphene. A plasma nozzle is coupled to a reaction chamber. A process gas is supplied to the plasma nozzle, the process gas comprising a carbon-containing species. Radio frequency radiation is supplied to the process gas within the plasma nozzle, so as to produce a plasma within the nozzle in use, and thereby cause cracking of the carbon-containing species. The plasma nozzle is arranged such that an afterglow of the plasma extends into the reaction chamber. The cracked carbon-containing species also passes into the reaction chamber, and the cracked carbon-containing species recombines within the afterglow, so as to form the graphitic products including graphene.

Abstract: An electrical conductor which has an electrically conducting fiber including carbon nanotubes and/or a graphene nanoribbon and a layer of insulating material coated around the electrically conducting fiber. The insulating material substantially does not penetrate the electrically conducting fiber, or penetrates the electrically conducting fiber only to a depth that leaves a continuous conductive path along a remaining part of the electrically conducting fiber.

Abstract: A floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition method for producing nanotubes, the method including: supplying a nanotube-material precursor and a catalyst precursor, heating said precursors and injecting said precursors into a heated reaction chamber containing a process gas; pyrolysing the catalyst precursor within the reaction chamber to produce catalyst particles; and pyrolysing the nanotube-material precursor within the reaction chamber in the presence of the catalyst particles in order to produce nanotubes; wherein the method further comprises controlling the size of the catalyst particles at the point of pyrolysis of the nanotube-material precursor by controlling the operational parameters of the reaction chamber and/or of the precursor supplies. A corresponding system for producing nanotubes is also provided.

Abstract: An electrical conductor comprising an electrically conducting fibre comprising carbon nanotubes and/or graphene nanoribbon and a layer of insulating material coated around the electrically conducting fibre. The insulating material substantially does not penetrate the electrically conducting fibre, or penetrates the electrically conducting fibre only to a depth that leaves a continuous conductive path along a remaining part of the electrically conducting fibre.