Synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes from natural precursors via modified pyrolytic nebulization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37636/recit.v9n3e488Keywords:
Green synthesis, Multi-walled carbon nanotubes, Natural precursors, Modified pyrolytic nebulizationAbstract
This study investigates the implementation of a green synthesis approach based on a modified spray pyrolysis method, aimed at developing a more environmentally sustainable process through the replacement of conventional hydrocarbon-derived precursors with naturally occurring compounds extracted from plant essential oils. Three different renewable precursor sources were selected, obtained by steam distillation and subsequently purified through rotary evaporation using dichloromethane as the extraction solvent. Four samples of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), designated as RON, CLN, CNN, and CNT, were synthesized. The CNT sample was produced using a conventional commercial organic precursor and served as the reference material. All samples were synthesized under identical experimental conditions, including reaction temperature, carrier gas, gas flow rate, pressure, solution feed rate, reaction time, and substrate type. A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the properties of the synthesized MWCNTs. The nanomaterials were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. These characterization techniques were employed to assess their morphological, thermal, structural, and chemical stability properties. The results confirmed the successful formation of MWCNTs from all natural precursors (RON, CLN, and CNN). The synthesized materials exhibited distinct morphologies and varying production yields. In general, the MWCNTs derived from essential oils displayed a lower degree of crystallinity compared to the CNT sample synthesized from toluene. Nevertheless, their structural and thermal characteristics demonstrate that essential oils constitute viable and sustainable alternative carbon sources for the production of carbon nanotubes through modified spray pyrolysis. This work presents an experimental and comparative investigation focused on the synthesis of MWCNTs from three different natural precursors and the evaluation of their morphological, thermal, and structural properties relative to nanotubes produced from a conventional hydrocarbon precursor. Biocompatibility assessments were beyond the scope of the present study and were therefore not considered.
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I, Isis Alejandra Hernández, declare that I am making my data as a researcher available to the public.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Isis Alejandra Hernandez Rivera, Rocío Alejandra Cera García, Victor Raúl López López, Luis Ernesto Solís Delgado, Balter Trujillo Navarrete, Francisco Paraguay Delgado, Yadira Gochi Ponce
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