Large scale synthesis of single-shell carbon nanotubes

We report on a novel technique for synthesizing large quantities of single-shell carbon nanotubes in a dc arc with a composite anode of graphite and copper. Based on systematic studies involving a varying diameter and distribution of copper rods inside the graphite anode, we have correlated the presence of copper to the formation of monolayer buckytubes. We speculate that copper atoms in the discharge disrupt the orderly formation of multilayer buckytubes observed in earlier experiments.