Question

Are the typical carbon nanotube synthesis methods considered “high energy” or “low energy”? Explain

Answer 1

Main methods of making of the carbon nanotube (CNTs)are plasma arc method and laser method.

I am explaining one method to make you understand how much energy is consumed in this process.
Plasma formation is done in the first process by keeping two carbon electrodes in an inert medium ,high vacuum and voltage  is applied to form the plasma arc, arc formation is essentially at very high temperature and thus it is highly energy intensive process.
Carbon electrodes from one electrode forms cation and gets deposited on another electrode and thus it is almost similar to that of the liquid electrolysis.
On the another electrode the deposited substance is carbon nanotube as well as fullerenes, the process of separating them two is also a energy intensive process.

Another method that is used for carbon nanotube formation is laser method which is done approximately at 1200 o C ,and thus it is also a energy intensive process.

Thus we should conclude that this is high energy process.

Hope this helps

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