Quantitative study of catalytic activity and catalytic deactivation of Fe–Co/Al2O3 catalysts for multi-walled carbon nanotube synthesis by the CCVD process

The catalytic deactivation during multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) synthesis by the CCVD process and the influence of hydrogen on it were quantified. Initial specific reaction rate, relative specific productivity and catalytic deactivation were studied. Carbon source was ethylene, and a bimetallic iron–cobalt catalyst supported on alumina was used. The catalytic deactivation was modeled by a decreasing hyperbolic law, reflecting the progressive accumulation of amorphous carbon on active sites. While the initial specific reaction rate was found not to be influenced by hydrogen, catalytic deactivation was found to be modified in the presence of hydrogen, which delayed and slowed down the deactivation by avoiding amorphous carbon deposition, thus leading to a greater relative specific productivity of carbon nanotubes.