Carbon nanotubes in cathodic vacuum arc discharge

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Abstract
Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated by a new cathodic vacuum arc method, in which the anode itself was the vacuum chamber and was inert. The cathodic vacuum arc discharge was performed at 0.5 Pa of He and H2 gas atmospheres using a dc arc current of 100 A. The cathode materials were pure graphite and various metal-containing graphite electrodes. Microscopic observation revealed that MWCNTs were produced at the cathode crater generated by the cathode spot and on the surface of macrodroplets emitted from the cathode spot. A diamond-like carbon film that embedded the macrodroplets with MWCNTs was also deposited.