Method for making an improved aerogel catalyst for making single-wall carbon nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition

摘要

A catalyst suitable for making carbon nanotubes is formed by depositing a transition-metal compound on an aerogel support to form a supported catalyst, calcining the supported catalyst, and activating the catalyst by reducing the transition-metal compound on the support. The transition-metal compound can comprise, for example, at least one element from Group VIII-B or Group VI-B, such as iron, cobalt or a combination thereof. The aerogel can comprise, for example, a material selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, alumina/silica, silica and combinations thereof.