Growth mechanism, structural regulation and energy-oriented functionalization of carbon-based nanotubes

Summary form only given. By using the in situ thermal analysis-mass spectroscopic technique, the CVD growth process of CNTs with benzene precursor has been clearly illuminated and the six-membered-ring-based growth mechanism through surface diffusion is deduced. Moreover, by applying this mechanism to the synthesis with pyridine precursor, nitrogen-doped CNTs (NCNTs) with predominant pyridinic N over graphitic N have been obtained. And such NCNTs have homogenous distribution of the nitrogen species which is beneficial for the surface functionalization. Accordingly, a series of alloyed Pt-TM (TM=Ru, Co, Ni etc) nanoparticles have been directly immobilized onto the outer surface of the NCNTs without pre-modification due to the nitrogen participation. The Pt-TM nanoparticles in so-constructed binary Pt-TM/NCNTs catalysts own high dispersion, narrow size distribution and tunable chemical composition.