SYNTHESIS OF MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES VIA CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as highly promising materials for structural reinforcement due to their exceptional mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. This study presents a systematic investigation into the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and evaluates their potential as reinforcement agents in epoxy-based aerospace composites. Synthesis parameters, including temperature (750 °C to 850 °C), hydrocarbon precursor flow rate (acetylene), and catalyst concentration (Fe-Co/Al₂O₃), were optimized to maximize yield and structural crystallinity. Epoxy composites reinforced with 0.5 wt.% functionalized MWCNTs exhibited a 34% increase in tensile strength and a 42% enhancement in Young's modulus compared to neat epoxy resin. The thermal degradation temperature also improved by 28 °C. This research establishes a scalable, optimized pathway for preparing high-performance, lightweight structural components critical for modern aerospace engineering architectures.