Effect of Preloaded Ferrocene in Co-pyrolysis of Kerosene/Ferrocene on CNT Synthesis

Based on elemental analyses, slop oil which is typical petroleum waste could be represented by kerosene according to the major content of hydrocarbons containing 8-15 of carbon atoms. It was found that co-pyrolysis of mixture of kerosene and ferrocene with a certain amount of ferrocene preloaded into a quartz tube reactor could result in formation of carbon nanotubes with uniform morphology and substantial yield. Based on thermogravimetric and SEM analyses, it was found that typical sample of CNTs synthesized with a designated weight ratio of ferrocene mixed with kerosene and preloaded ferrocene of 1:1 exhibited better thermal stability and more uniform morphology with an average diameter of less than 100 nm.