EFFECTS OF NATURAL CONVECTION ON GROWTH OF SINGLE-WALL CARBON NANOTUBES

The effect of natural convection on growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes by the electric-arc technique was studied using numerical simulations of the heat and momentum transport process. The calculations are compared to experimental results and used to discuss the differences between the horizontal and the vertical configurations. The calculations also agree with the main models developed up to date to explain the growth mechanism of single-wall carbon nanotubes.