Synthesis, Characterization of Ce–Ni‐Based Combustion Catalyst for CVD Growth of Carbon Nanotubes and Evaluation of Antifungal Activity

ABSTRACT

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized using a catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique employing a cerium–nickel (Ce–Ni) combustion‐derived catalyst. The catalyst was prepared via a solution combustion method using cerium nitrate and nickel nitrate in a defined molar ratio, with citric acid acting as a fuel and foaming agent. The precursor solution was sonicated, stirred, and thermally treated at 550°C to obtain a porous combustion catalyst, which was subsequently ground into a fine powder. CNT growth was carried out in a horizontal quartz reactor using acetylene as the carbon source. The synthesized materials were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline incorporation of Ce and NiO phases. SEM and TEM studies revealed the formation of well‐defined helical multiwalled carbon nanotubes (HMWCNTs) with uniform morphology. EDX confirmed the elemental composition of the catalyst. The synthesized helical CNTs exhibit structural features suitable for may be applications in composite reinforcement and microbial studies, biosensor technologies due to their enhanced mechanical and electrical properties. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of Ce–Ni combustion catalyst in controlled CNT synthesis.