Biogenic synthesis and thermo-magnetic study of highly porous carbon nanotubes.

Nanomaterials synthesis using natural sources is the technology to up come with advanced materials through extracts of plant, microorganisms, poultry waste etc. In this study, the authors report the synthesis of porous carbon nanotubes using high-temperature decomposition technique facilitated by cobalt salt using chicken fats, a poultry waste as a precursor. Since chicken fats contain fatty acids which can decompose into short hydrocarbon chains and cobalt can act as the catalyst. The formation of carbon nanotubes was confirmed by Raman spectra, peaks at 1580 and 1350.46 cm-1 confirmed the graphite mode G-band and structural imperfections defect mode D-band, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of tube-like structures. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption studies showed the high-surface area of 418.1 m2g-1 with an estimated pore diameter of 8.1 nm. Thermogravimetry analysis-derivative thermogravimetric analysis-differential thermal analysis showed the instant weight loss at 517°C attributed to the rapid combustion of nanotubes. A vibrating-sample magnetometer showed the paramagnetic nature of the so-formed carbon nanotubes formed.