Dependence of MWCNT production via co-pyrolysis of industrial slop oil and ferrocene on growth temperature and heating rate

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) could be produced from industrial slop oil via pyrolysis with the presence of ferrocene. Dependence of characteristics of the produced MWCNTs on their growth temperature and heating rate of mixtures of industrial slop oil and ferrocene was experimentally investigated. With low-molecular weighted hydrocarbon, the resultant MWCNTs with nominal diameters of 10–50 nm and yields of 45–65 wt% could be produced within a growth temperature range of 750–950 °C. Meanwhile, high-molecular weighted hydrocarbon could provide substantial yield of MWCNTs only within the growth temperature range of 850–950 °C. It was found that a higher heating rate of 9 °C/min could result in preferable production of MWCNTs with higher purity. Based on comprehensive analyses, a schematic pathway of MWCNT production via co-pyrolysis of mixtures of industrial slop oil and ferrocene was proposed.