Real-time monitoring of SWNT nucleation and growth in laser oven reactor

In Phase I we have demonstrated the detection and identification of products of carbon single wall nanotubes (SWNT) synthesis by the laser oven growth process using our unique method of Ion Mobility orthogonal Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (IM oTOF MS). The Phase II will be aimed at the implementation of laser photoionization coupled with optical techniques for more complete in situ time-resolved characterization of both inherently ionized and neutral fractions of the ablated growth precursors. Mechanisms of nucleation and growth of SWNT in the laser oven synthesis is still unclear. Our IM oTOF MS analyzer can provide measurements of time and spatial distribution, as well as the size and shape of elemental and molecular reactants and products. In the Phase II a new reactor will be built in collaboration with Dr. Hauge’s group at the Carbon Nanotechnology Laboratory of Rice University. It will be interfaced with the IM oTOF MS for the analysis of growth products. Quantitative measurements of the laser plume composition will be achieved by applying secondary laser post-ionization of the desorbed neutral species. Mass and shape analysis will be complemented with laser fluorescence spectroscopy for determining nanotube chirality of the SWNT produced both during and after the synthesis.