Response Surface Methodology for Optimizing Process Parameters for Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 1, No 1 (March 2012) pp. 40-45
Abstract
Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the synthesis parameters for Carbon nanotubes. Such optimization was undertaken to ensure a high efficiency over the experimental ranges employed and to evaluate the interactive effects of the temperature, catalyst amount, and volume of carbon for synthesis of Multi-walled carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) from methylated ester of Helianthus annuus oil on silica supported Fe/Mo catalyst by spray pyrolysis method. A total of 17 experimental runs were carried out employing the detailed conditions designed by response surface methodology based on the Box- Behnken design. The experimental confirmation tests showed a correlation between the predicted and experimental responses. The optimal point obtained was located in the valid region and the optimum adsorption parameters were predicted as a temperature of 668 0 C, a precursor volume of 21ml and catalyst weight of 0.78 g. Under these conditions, a highest yield of 75% was achieved from spray pyrolysis method.
