Abstract: Well aligned quasi-straight single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and straight SWCNTs bundle have been prepared in large scale by anode-arc vaporization of graphite with metallic catalysts. Various parameters such as the catalyst preparation, the kinds and pressure of the buffer gases, the quantity of anode-arc current intensity, and the method of purification have been examined. The influence of these parameters on the deposited carbon yield is reported, together with observations of the produced material. Improvement in synthetic techniques has resulted in the optimal conditions for the production of large quantities of high quality SWCNTs in our semi-continuous synthesis method. The formation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was studied briefly in this paper Owing to the magnetic pinching effect of arc current, the CArTs arrange in parallel lines along the arc current direction.

Key words: carbon nanotubes, anode-arc, preparation