Synthesis and characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes from silkworm cocoons to use as the cathode material for Al-air battery

ABSTRACT

Carbon nanotubes have been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition at 850°C using silkworm cocoons as a precursor. The impregnation method with 3 wt% ferrocene as a catalyst was utilized for growth of carbon nanotubes. The flow rates of C₂H₂, H₂, and N₂ were fixed at 100, 150, and 350 ml/min, respectively. Morphology, microstructure and quality of the synthesized carbon nanotubes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. Results showed that the prepared carbon nanotubes were multiwalled and good graphitic quality. When used as the cathode material for aluminum-air battery, prepared carbon nanotubes cathode exhibited higher current density than commercial graphite cathode. Based on our study, there is a successful conversion of silkworm cocoons into value-added nanomaterial products, promoting the natural biotechnological materials.