Method for Preparing Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes from a Metal Layer

Abstract

Methods of preparing single walled carbon nanotubes are provided. An arrangement comprising one or more layers of fullerene in contact with one side of a metal layer and a solid carbon source in contact with the other side of metal layer is prepared. The fullerene/metal layer/solid carbon source arrangement is then heated to a temperature below where the fullerenes sublime. Alternatively, a non-solid carbon source may be used in place of a solid carbon source or the metal layer may simply be saturated with carbon atoms. A multiplicity of single walled carbon nanotubes are grown on the fullerene side of the metal layer, 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.

1 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . 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.   
     
     
         47 . The composition of matter of claim  20 , wherein the diameter D is within the range of 1.0 to 1.8 nm. 
     
     
         48 . The composition of matter of claim  20 , wherein the diameter D is within the range of 1.2 to 1.6 nm.