Study on Production of Carbon Nanosubstance by Arc Electric Discharge Method

The generation of a carbon nanotube was investigated in arc electric discharge in the mixed gas of helium and the atmosphere. A carbon stick and a carbon stick in which lithium is inserted were used for the negative electrode in the arc electric discharge. The carbon stick with litium tends to accelerate the generation of carbon nanotube. It is found that the generation of a carbon nanotube is restricted in the range of atmosphere partial pressure from 10 kPa to 20 kPa and the ideal spherical substance with the size from several hundred nanometers to several micrometers is generated. If the atmosphere partial pressure is lower than those range, the spherical material change into carbon nanotube or carbon fiber.