Device and method for production of carbon nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives

Abstract

An apparatus and method for the production of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives where, in an environment where an inert gas flows at or below atmospheric pressure, a high frequency electromagnetic field is generated and a pure or doped graphite element is subjected to the electromagnetic field and heated to vaporization to form a plasma.

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         13 . A method for the production of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives in an environment where a inert gas flow is present at atmospheric pressure or at a lower pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure, a high frequency electromagnetic field is generated, comprising the steps of subjecting one end of a graphite element  5  to said-electromagnetic field and heating said graphite element to vaporization and simultaneously causing the formation and the persistence of a plasma  10  around the vaporization zone of the same graphite element  5 . 
     
     
         14 . The method for the production of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives according to  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of generating a second plasma  14  from a second high frequency electromagnetic field. 
     
     
         15 . The method for the production of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives according to  claim 13 , further comprising a continuous method of picking up of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives by means of a device placed at the exit of evacuation port  3 . 
     
     
         16 . The method for the production of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives according to  claim 14 , further comprising a continuous method of picking up nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives by means of a device placed at the exit of evacuation port  3 . 
     
     
         17 . The method for the production of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives according to  claim 13 , wherein the graphite element  5  is made up of graphite with a purity not lower than 90%. 
     
     
         18 . The method for the production of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives according to  claim 13 , wherein the graphite element  5  is doped or added with other substances solid and/or liquid. 
     
     
         19 . The method for the production of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives according to the  claim 18 , wherein the graphite element  5  includes catalyst metal. 
     
     
         20 . The method for the production of nanotubes, fullerene and their derivatives according to the  claim 19 , wherein the graphite element  5  includes catalyst metal selected from a the group consisting of Co, Ni, Sc, V, Cr, Fe, Cu, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Pd, Ta, W, Au, Th, U, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu.