Synthesis and characterization of alumina/carbon nanotube composite powders

Synthesis and characterization of alumina/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite powders have been investigated for production of nanotube reinforced ceramic composites. The alumina/CNT powder was prepared by catalytic decomposition of acetylene gas with iron supported on alumina. The catalyst source was iron nitrate and the iron content was controlled up to 5.0 mol % to change the CNT compositions in the composite powders. The nanotube content in the powders was determined by an elemental analyzer. The quantity and quality of the CNT in the powders have been investigated with SEM, TEM, XRD and BET. The content of CNT was increased up to 12.5 wt. % and the CNT diameter increased with increasing iron catalyst content. The surface area and carbon content analysis shows that the quality of CNT is highest at 1.0 mol % iron catalyst loading. The synthesized CNT was fairly well-dispersed in the alumina powder.