IR and NMR spectroscopic characterization of graphitization process occurring in the pores of mesoporous silicates in formation of carbon nanotubes

Abstract: Synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from the template molecules of the Si-MCM-41 and Al,Si-MCM-41 mesoporous silicates were investigated. The generation of nanotubes was carried out by graphitization, i.e. applying high temperature treatment of the MCM-41 samples in inert gas atmosphere. The as-synthesized and graphitized samples were characterized by several spectroscopic and physico-chemical methods such as IR and MAS NMR spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, and BET. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]