Carbon Nanostructures Synthesized by Ethanol Pyrolysis Using a New Catalyst Fabricated by a Modified Sol-Gel Technology

The conditions for obtaining a new nanostructured nickel-based catalyst with small particle size using a modified sol-gel method are described. Using this Ni/(NiO+Y2O3) catalyst, the synthesis of carbon nanotubes by pyrolysis of ethanol has been carried out. As shown here, both the catalyst microstructure and its synthesis parameters influence the structure and morphology of the carbon deposit.