Developing Empirical Relationship to Predict the Diameter of Multiwall Carbon Nano Tubes (MWCNTs) Synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Process

The thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) route was used to synthesize multi walled carbon nano tubes (MWCNTs) and metal NiO powders was used as catalyst and it supported on crystalline alumina nano particles. Acetylene was used as the carbon source gas and Argon was used as the carrier gas. An empirical relationship was developed to predict the diameter of MWNTs incorporating important CVD process parameters. Three factors, five levels central composite design was used to minimize number of experimental conditions. The CVD parameters such as reaction temperature, gas flow rate and process time were chosen as the important parameters. The diameter of MWNTs was measured using field emission scanning electron microcopy (FESEM). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) method was used to identify significant main and interaction factors. Final empirical relationship was developed using these significant factors. The developed empirical relationship can be effectively used to predict the diameter of MWNTs synthesized through CVD process at 95% confidence level.