Method for preparing uniform single walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Methods of preparing single walled carbon nanotubes from a metal catalyst having deposited thereon fullerenes are provided. Fullerenes are deposited onto a metal catalyst precursor or metal catalyst. In the presence of a carbon containing gas, the metal catalyst precursor/fullerene composition is then exposed to conditions suitable for reducing the metal catalyst precursor, for subliming the fullerene and for growing single walled carbon nanotubes. The fullerenes form the end caps for the resulting single walled carbon nanotubes, which are uniform in diameter.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A composition of matter comprising:
 a multiplicity of single wall carbon nanotubes, wherein at least 80% of the single walled carbon nanotubes in said multiplicity have a diameter within ±5% of a single walled carbon nanotube diameter D present in said multiplicity, said diameter D being in the range between 0.6-2.2 nm.   
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the diameter D is within the range of 1.0 to 1.8 nm. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 13 , wherein the diameter D is within the range of 1.2 to 1.6 nm.