Application of Box Behnken design to optimize the reaction conditions on the synthesis of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

This paper describes the use of Box Behnken design approach to plan the experiments for turning the yield of Multiwalled Carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) synthesis by spray pyrolysis method using Citrus limonum oil as carbon precursor and Fe/Co supported on silica as catalyst. Reaction temperature, composition of catalyst and feed rate of precursor were the chosen parameters to optimize the process. A total of 17 runs were required to achieve the optimum conditions. Characterization of as grown CNTs were done by scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy. This work resulted in identifying the optimized set of turning parameters for spray pyrolysis to achieve high yield of CNTs.