Solid-state formation of carbon nanotubes

This chapter reviews the research on the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a ball milling-annealing method, in which graphite powder is first treated using high-energy ball milling (HEBM) at room temperature to create a precursor structure, followed by a thermal annealing to activate nanotube growth. This chapter includes an introduction of the ball milling-annealing method, a comparison between the HEBM and traditional ball-milling techniques, a detailed description of the morphologic and structural changes of the graphite induced by HEBM, a presentation of the growth of various nanotubular structures during the annealing process, and a discussion of special solid-state formation mechanisms involved. The chapter aims to demonstrate a mass production method for CNTs and new solid-state formation mechanisms. © 2006