The floating-catalyst direct-spinning route commonly requires a small sulfur promoter addition. sulfur changes catalyst-particle nucleation and surface chemistry, influencing the active Fe-particle population, carbon incorporation and whether sufficiently long, numerous tubes form a drawable aerogel.
A sulfur-rich catalyst surface or Fe–S-containing state can alter surface energy, wetting and particle coarsening; a low-melting interfacial state can also affect catalyst activity. These are process-dependent mechanisms, not a statement that sulfur is a structural constituent required in every carbon nanotube. Excess sulfur can suppress useful growth or worsen impurities. The useful dose therefore has a window and depends on catalyst and feed chemistry.
A controlled comparison changes sulfur supply while holding the carbon/catalyst feed and collection conditions fixed, then measures tube population, catalyst residue and spinnability rather than judging only the presence of soot. The primary direct-spinning study specifically treats sulfur-dependent processing and purity.[ref]
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