US Patent 7563428 Method of making carbon nanotubes

A method of producing a carbon nanotube product comprising a catalytic particle and single-walled carbon nanotubes deposited thereon. The catalytic particles preferably contain at least one metal from Group VIII, including for example Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, and Pt, and at least one metal from Group VIb including for example Mo, W and Cr. The catalytic particle preferably further comprises a support material such as silica. The carbon nanotube product is preferably formed by exposing the catalytic particle to a carbon-containing gas at a temperature sufficient to form the single-walled nanotubes as a primary portion of a solid carbon product on the catalytic particles.