Vapor Phase Production of Carbon Nanostructures

Carbon nanomaterials stand as a frontier of exploration, boasting exceptional thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties that render them increasingly indispensable across diverse applications. Yet, the hurdle of scaling up production looms large. This chapter delves into the synthesis of an array of carbon nanomaterials via the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method—a cost-effective and straightforward approach yielding high-quality solid thin films and coatings. CVD entails the chemical transformation of gaseous reactants on a heated substrate, yielding thin layers, powders, or individual pieces. Notably, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (NTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and graphene exhibit remarkable compatibility with CVD. Herein, we explore the prevailing synthesis challenges and applications of these nanomaterials while also pinpointing avenues for future investigation. Through an examination of current limitations and optimization strategies, we illuminate potential advancements for this technique, such as refining reactor designs to bolster throughput and enabling the low-temperature growth of thin films.