Carbon nanotubes were discovered in early 90’s and since then have been deployed in a number of applications and have become an important part of nanotechnology. One of the problems which is being faced is that their production on industrial scale is still an expensive proposition therefore up till now it has been unquestionable to use them in commercial areas such as catalysis.
Now researchers at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society are making an effort for using igneous rock from Mount Etna for producing carbon nanotubes and fibers directly from the gas phase.
Dr. Dang Sheng Su stated:
The naturally occurring iron oxide particles in lava make it an effective natural catalyst, possibly smoothing the way to a more efficient production method. This could lead to a sustainable use of natural resources for carbon nanomaterial production.
If this gets developed then it would certainly bring down the cost of producing nanotubes.
Via nanowerk
