阅读说明：本技术 碳纳米结构体制造方法、碳纳米结构体以及碳纳米结构体制造装置 (Method for producing carbon nanostructure, and apparatus for producing carbon nanostructure ) 是由 日方威 大久保总一郎 中井龙资 藤田淳一 于 2018-06-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：根据本发明的实施方案的制造碳纳米结构体的方法涉及：通过在含碳气体流中使紧密附着在一起的多个催化剂颗粒分离,从而在多个催化剂颗粒之间生长碳纳米管的生长步骤；以及保持至少一个催化剂颗粒并且借助于含碳气体的风压使碳纳米管延伸的延伸步骤。(A method of manufacturing a carbon nanostructure according to an embodiment of the present invention involves: a growth step of growing carbon nanotubes between the plurality of catalyst particles by separating the plurality of catalyst particles closely adhered together in a flow of a carbon-containing gas; and an extension step of holding at least one catalyst particle and extending the carbon nanotubes by means of wind pressure of a carbon-containing gas.)

1. A method for producing a carbon nanostructure, comprising:

a growth step in which a plurality of catalyst particles in close contact with each other are separated in a flow of a carbon-containing gas to grow carbon nanotubes between the plurality of catalyst particles; and

an extension step in which at least one of the catalyst particles is held and the carbon nanotubes are extended by the wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas.

2. The method for producing a carbon nanostructure according to claim 1, wherein

In the growing step, a disintegratable catalyst is disposed in the flow of the carbonaceous gas, the disintegratable catalyst disintegrates and releases the plurality of catalyst particles when subjected to wind pressure of the carbonaceous gas, and

in the extending step, the catalyst particles are captured by a substrate disposed along the flow of carbon-containing gas.

3. The method for producing a carbon nanostructure according to claim 2, wherein

The disintegratable catalyst is a metal foil.

4. The carbon nanostructure production method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein

In the growing step, the flow rate of the carbon-containing gas is repeatedly changed.

5. The carbon nanostructure production method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein

The catalyst particles have an average diameter of 30nm to 1000 [ mu ] m.

6. A carbon nanostructure, comprising:

a tubular tube portion formed of graphene; and

a conical portion formed of graphene in a conical shape and having a diameter continuously enlarged from a distal end of the tube portion.

7. A carbon nanostructure production apparatus includes:

a tubular reaction chamber to be heated;

a gas supply mechanism configured to supply a carbon-containing gas into the reaction chamber from one end of the reaction chamber;

a catalyst supply mechanism configured to release a plurality of catalyst particles in an aggregated state into the carbonaceous gas flowing through the reaction chamber; and

a substrate holding mechanism provided in the reaction chamber and configured to hold a substrate that captures the catalyst particles,

the average flow velocity of the carbon-containing gas flowing through the reaction chamber is 0.05cm/sec or more, and the Reynolds number of the carbon-containing gas is 1000 or less.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a carbon nanostructure, and an apparatus for producing a carbon nanostructure. This application claims the benefit of priority from japanese patent application No.2017-220387, filed on 11/15/2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Carbon nanostructures such as linear carbon nanotubes and sheet graphene, in which carbon atoms are aligned at intervals of nanometer order, are known. Such carbon nanostructures can be obtained by a vapor phase growth method in which a raw material gas containing carbon is supplied to fine particles of a catalyst such as iron under heating to grow the carbon nanostructures from the catalyst (see, for example, japanese patent laid-open No. 2005-330175).

Reference list

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No.2005-330175

Disclosure of Invention

A carbon nanostructure manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a growth step in which a plurality of catalyst particles in close contact with each other are separated in a flow of a carbon-containing gas to grow carbon nanotubes between the plurality of catalyst particles; and an extension step of holding at least one catalyst particle and extending the carbon nanotubes by wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas.

Further, a carbon nanostructure according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a tube portion formed of graphene in a tubular shape, and a conical portion formed of graphene in a conical shape and continuously expanding in diameter from a tip end of the tube portion.

Further, a carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus according to still another aspect of the present disclosure includes: a tubular reaction chamber to be heated; a gas supply mechanism configured to supply a carbon-containing gas into the reaction chamber from one end of the reaction chamber; a catalyst supply mechanism configured to release a plurality of catalyst particles in an aggregated state into a carbon-containing gas flowing through the reaction chamber; and a substrate holding mechanism provided in the reaction chamber and configured to hold the substrate that captures the catalyst particles. The average flow velocity of the carbon-containing gas flowing through the reaction chamber is 0.05cm/sec or more, and the Reynolds number of the carbon-containing gas is 1000 or less.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a carbon nanostructure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a growth step in a carbon nanostructure manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating an extension step in a carbon nanostructure manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is an electron micrograph illustrating carbon nanostructures according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 6 is an electron micrograph illustrating a carbon nanostructure different from fig. 5 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

[ problem to be solved by the present disclosure ]

In the conventional vapor phase growth method disclosed in the above publication, since the growth rate is low, the production efficiency is insufficient. In addition, in the conventional vapor phase growth method, since the growth of the carbon nanotube is unstable, the obtained carbon nanotube is relatively short.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a carbon nanostructure production method, a carbon nanostructure, and a carbon nanostructure production apparatus capable of efficiently producing a long carbon nanostructure.

[ advantageous effects of the present disclosure ]

According to the method for producing a carbon nanostructure, the carbon nanostructure, and the apparatus for producing a carbon nanostructure of one embodiment of the present invention, a long carbon nanostructure can be efficiently produced.

[ description of the embodiments ]

A carbon nanostructure manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a growth step in which a plurality of catalyst particles in close contact with each other are separated in a flow of a carbon-containing gas to grow carbon nanotubes between the plurality of catalyst particles; and an extension step of holding at least one catalyst particle and extending the carbon nanotubes by wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas.

According to the carbon nanostructure production method, in the growth step, the carbon nanotubes are formed between the catalyst particles by the vapor phase growth method, and in the extension step, the catalyst particles are held as the growth points of the carbon nanotubes, and the formed carbon nanotubes are plastically extended by the wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas to form the carbon nanostructure including the tube portion having a small diameter but a long length and the cone portion having a cone shape after the extension. Therefore, the carbon nanostructure production method can form a carbon nanostructure having a longer length at a higher rate than the growth rate of the carbon nanotube. Therefore, according to the carbon nanostructure manufacturing method, a long carbon nanostructure can be formed before the catalytic reaction becomes unstable, which makes it possible to efficiently manufacture a long carbon nanostructure.

According to the carbon nanostructure manufacturing method, in the growth step, a disintegratable catalyst that disintegrates and releases a plurality of catalyst particles when subjected to wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas may be provided in the carbon-containing gas flow, and in the extension step, the catalyst particles may be captured by a substrate arranged along the carbon-containing gas flow. Since the disintegratable catalyst is disposed in the carbon-containing gas stream in the growth step, the plurality of catalyst particles in an aggregated state can be easily separated. Since the substrate is arranged to trap the catalyst particles in the extending step as described above, the catalyst particles can be trapped without obstructing the flow of the carbon-containing gas, which makes it possible to effectively extend the carbon nanotubes by utilizing the wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas.

In the carbon nanostructure manufacturing method, the disintegratable catalyst may be a metal foil. Since the disintegratable catalyst is a metal foil, the disintegratable catalyst can be disintegrated into fine catalyst particles when subjected to wind pressure of a carbon-containing gas, which makes it possible to efficiently produce a carbon nanostructure.

In the carbon nanostructure production method, the flow rate of the carbon-containing gas may be repeatedly changed in the growth step. By repeatedly changing the flow rate of the carbon-containing gas in the growth step, the disintegratable catalyst can be reliably disintegrated, which makes it possible to efficiently produce the carbon nanostructure.

In the method for producing a carbon nanostructure, the average diameter of the catalyst particles may be 30nm or more and 1000 μm or less. By setting the average diameter of the catalyst particles within the above range, carbon nanotubes that can be subsequently extended can be grown, which enables the production efficiency of the carbon nanostructures to be improved.

A carbon nanostructure according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a tube portion formed of graphene in a tubular shape, and a conical portion formed of graphene in a conical shape and continuously expanding in diameter from a tip end of the tube portion.

The carbon nanotubes may be formed by: carbon nanotubes having a diameter approximately equal to the major diameter of the conical portion are grown, and the carbon nanotubes are sequentially extended from the growth point toward the distal side in the longitudinal direction so as to decrease in diameter. In other words, the carbon nanostructures can be formed at a faster rate than the growth rate of the carbon nanotubes, so that the length of the carbon nanostructures can be increased relatively easily.

Further, a carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus according to still another aspect of the present disclosure includes: a tubular reaction chamber to be heated; a gas supply mechanism configured to supply a carbon-containing gas into the reaction chamber from one end of the reaction chamber; a catalyst supply mechanism configured to release a plurality of catalyst particles in an aggregated state into a carbon-containing gas flowing through the reaction chamber; and a substrate holding mechanism provided in the reaction chamber and configured to hold the substrate trapping the catalyst particles, an average flow velocity of the carbon-containing gas flowing through the reaction chamber is 0.05cm/sec or more, and a reynolds number of the carbon-containing gas is 1000 or less.

According to the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus, the gas supply mechanism is configured to form a carbon-containing gas flow in the reaction chamber, and the catalyst supply mechanism is configured to release the plurality of catalyst particles in an aggregated state into the carbon-containing gas flow. When the plurality of catalyst particles are separated, carbon nanotubes are formed between the catalyst particles, the catalyst particles between which the carbon nanotubes are grown are captured by the substrate held by the substrate holding mechanism, and the carbon nanotubes are elongated by the wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas, which makes it possible to form, after the elongation, a carbon nanostructure including a tube portion having a small diameter but a long length and a cone portion having a cone shape.

In the present disclosure, the term "average diameter" refers to the average of the diameters of particles in a microscope image.

[ details of the embodiment ]

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[ carbon nanostructure ]

Fig. 1 illustrates a carbon nanostructure S according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The carbon nanostructure S includes a tubular portion T formed of graphene into a tubular shape, and a conical portion C formed of graphene into a conical shape and continuously expanding in diameter from a tip end of the tubular portion T.

The carbon nanostructures S are formed in such a manner that the conical portions C are formed at both ends of the tube portion T, and the catalyst particles P are attached to the large diameter side of each conical portion C. Further, the carbon nanostructure S may be connected to another carbon nanostructure S from the other side of the catalyst particle P located at one end.

The carbon nanostructures S may not contain the catalyst particles P, and the carbon nanostructures S may be fractured at one point within the tube portion T, and thus have only one conical portion C at one end of the tube portion T.

The carbon nanostructure S may be formed from single-layer graphene or from multi-layer graphene. In other words, the tube portion T and the conical portion C may each have a plurality of layers.

In the carbon nanostructure S, the lower limit of the average outer diameter of the tube portion T is preferably 0.4nm, and more preferably 1.0 nm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average outer diameter of the tube portion T is preferably 50nm, and more preferably 10 nm. If the average outer diameter of the tube portion T is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult to manufacture the carbon nanostructure. Conversely, if the average outer diameter of the tubular portion T is larger than the upper limit, it may be difficult to increase the length of the tubular portion T.

In the carbon nanostructure S, the average outer diameter of the end portion of the conical portion C opposite to the tube portion T is equal to the outer diameter of the carbon nanotube grown from the catalyst particle P according to the vapor growth method. The lower limit of the average outer diameter of the end portion of the conical portion C opposite to the tube portion T is preferably 20nm, and more preferably 30 nm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average outer diameter of the end portion of the conical portion C opposite to the tube portion T is preferably 500nm, and more preferably 300 nm. If the average outer diameter of the end of the conical portion C opposite to the tubular portion T is smaller than the lower limit, the difference with respect to the outer diameter of the tubular portion T is small, which makes it difficult to increase the length of the tubular portion T. In contrast, if the average outer diameter of the end of the conical portion C opposite to the tube portion T is larger than the upper limit, the rigidity of the carbon nanotubes grown from the catalyst particles P becomes large, which makes it difficult to form the tube portion T or to increase the length of the tube portion T.

[ apparatus for producing carbon nanostructure ]

The carbon nanostructure S in fig. 1 can be produced by the carbon nanostructure production apparatus shown in fig. 2. The carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus in fig. 2 is itself one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The carbon nanostructure production device includes: a tubular reaction chamber 1; a gas supply mechanism 2 configured to supply a carbon-containing gas from one end of the reaction chamber 1 into the reaction chamber 1; a catalyst supply mechanism 3 configured to release a plurality of catalyst particles P in an aggregated state into a carbon-containing gas flowing through the reaction chamber 1; and a substrate holding mechanism 4 provided in the reaction chamber 1 and configured to hold the substrate B trapping the catalyst particles P.

< reaction Chamber >

In the reaction chamber 1, the carbon-containing gas flow is stratified into a laminar flow in the inlet region 5 located upstream of the catalyst supply mechanism 3, and the carbon nanostructures are formed in the formation region 6 located downstream of the catalyst supply mechanism 3 using the laminar flow of the carbon-containing gas.

The reaction chamber 1 is also provided with a heater 7. In other words, reaction chamber 1 is heated by heater 7.

The internal temperature in the formation region 6 of the reaction chamber 1 is preferably 800 ℃ to 1200 ℃. In order to maintain such a temperature, the carbon-containing gas from the gas supply mechanism 2 may be heated and then supplied to the reaction chamber 1, or the carbon-containing gas may be heated in the inlet region 5.

< gas supply mechanism >

The gas supply mechanism 2 may be configured to include a gas tank 8 and a flow rate control valve 9 to supply the carbonaceous gas to the reaction chamber 1.

The carbon-containing gas supplied by the gas supply mechanism 2 is a reducing gas such as a hydrocarbon gas. As the carbon-containing gas, for example, a mixed gas of acetylene and nitrogen or argon, methane, or the like can be used.

The lower limit of the average flow velocity of the carbon-containing gas supplied from the gas supply mechanism 2 into the reaction chamber 1 is 0.05m/sec, preferably 0.10cm/sec, and more preferably 0.20 cm/sec. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average flow velocity in the reaction chamber 1 is preferably 10.0cm/sec, and more preferably 0.5 cm/sec. If the average flow velocity of the carbonaceous gas in the reaction chamber 1 is less than the lower limit, the wind pressure may not be sufficient to extend the carbon nanotubes formed between the catalyst particles P. In contrast, if the average flow rate of the carbon-containing gas in the reaction chamber 1 is greater than the upper limit, the carbon nanotubes may be separated from the catalyst particles P, which may stop the growth of the carbon nanotubes and thus delay the formation of the carbon nanostructures.

The lower limit of the reynolds number of the flow of the carbon-containing gas supplied into the reaction chamber 1 by the gas supply mechanism 2 is preferably 0.01, and more preferably 0.05. On the other hand, the upper limit of the Reynolds number is 1000, preferably 100, and more preferably 10. If the reynolds number is less than the lower limit, the design of the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus may be excessively limited, which may make the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus unnecessarily expensive and may unnecessarily decrease the manufacturing efficiency of the carbon nanostructure. If the Reynolds number is greater than the upper limit, the flow of the carbon-containing gas may be disturbed, which may hinder the formation of carbon nanotubes between the catalyst particles and the extension of the carbon nanotubes.

Preferably, the gas supply mechanism 2 repeatedly changes the amount of the carbon-containing gas supplied to the reaction chamber 1. Thereby, the flow velocity of the carbon-containing gas inside the reaction chamber 1 is repeatedly increased or decreased, which promotes the separation of the plurality of aggregated catalyst particles P, and the number of carbon nanostructures obtained thereby is increased.

< catalyst supply mechanism >

The catalyst supply mechanism 3 may be configured to hold the disintegratable catalyst D in the flow of the carbonaceous gas, and when subjected to wind pressure of the carbonaceous gas, the disintegratable catalyst D disintegrates and releases the plurality of catalyst particles P. The catalyst supply mechanism 3 may be configured to hold a disintegratable catalyst D of a longer size, for example, in a band or rod shape, and gradually supply it into the reaction chamber 1. As described above, by using the disintegratable catalyst D, the plurality of catalyst particles P can be released into the carbon-containing gas flow in an aggregated state at high temperature, which makes it possible to reliably grow carbon nanotubes between the plurality of catalyst particles.

Preferably, the disintegratable catalyst D is a metal foil, which easily releases the fine catalyst particles P. Examples of the material for forming the disintegratable catalyst D may include iron, nickel, and the like, and among them, high-purity iron having excellent disintegrability and catalytic properties is particularly preferable. When high purity iron is heated to a high temperature in the reaction chamber 1 and then exposed to a carbon-containing gas, iron carbide (Fe) is formed on the surface due to carburization₃C)，This makes it possible to easily disintegrate from the surface, thereby sequentially releasing the catalyst particles P. In this case, the main component in the released catalyst particles P is iron carbide (Fe)₃C) Or iron oxide (Fe)₂O₃)。

The lower limit of the average diameter of the catalyst particles P captured by the substrate B is preferably 30nm, more preferably 40nm, and further preferably 50 nm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average diameter of the catalyst particles P captured by the substrate B is preferably 1000 μm, more preferably 100 μm, and further preferably 10 μm. If the average diameter of the catalyst particles P captured by the substrate B is less than the lower limit, the diameter of the carbon nanofibers formed from the catalyst particles P is small, and thus the elongation is small, which may not sufficiently extend the tubular portions T of the carbon nanostructures S. In contrast, if the average diameter of the catalyst particles P captured through the substrate B is greater than the upper limit, the carbon nanofibers formed from the catalyst particles P may be difficult to extend.

The lower limit of the average thickness of the metal foil used as the disintegratable catalyst D is preferably 1 μm, more preferably 20 μm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the metal foil used as the disintegratable catalyst D is preferably 500 μm, more preferably 200 μm. If the average thickness of the metal foil used as the disintegratable catalyst D is less than the lower limit, the carbon-containing gas may blow the metal foil apart. In contrast, if the average thickness of the metal foil used as the disintegratable catalyst D is larger than the upper limit, the disintegration rate may be slower, which may decrease the formation efficiency of the carbon nanostructures.

< substrate holding mechanism >

The substrate holding mechanism 4 holds the substrate B below the catalyst supply mechanism 3 that supplies catalyst particles so that the substrate B extends downstream in the flow direction of the carbon-containing gas. In view of the falling speed of the catalyst particles P in the flow of the carbon-containing gas, it is preferable that the substrate B is kept to extend widely within a range in which the catalyst particles may fall.

The substrate holding mechanism 4 captures the catalyst particles P released by the catalyst supply mechanism 3 with the substrate B and holds the catalyst particles P at the capture position against the flow of the carbon-containing gas. Therefore, the carbon nanotube extending from the catalyst particle P held on the substrate B is pulled to be plastically deformed due to the wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas applied to the carbon nanotube extending from the catalyst particle P held on the substrate B and the carbon-containing gas applied to the other catalyst particle P located at the other end of the carbon nanotube, and thus, the carbon nanotube extends in the longitudinal direction and at the same time, the diameter of the carbon nanotube is reduced.

The carbon nanotubes may continue to grow from the catalyst particles P at the initial diameter even during the extension of the carbon nanotubes. Therefore, the carbon nanostructure S formed by the carbon nanostructure production apparatus includes a tubular tube portion T and a conical portion C continuously expanding in diameter from the end of the tube portion.

That is, the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus grows the carbon nanotubes according to the vapor phase growth method, and at the same time, extends the carbon nanotubes by the wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas, thereby converting a part of the hexagonal cells of the carbon nanotubes into pentagonal cells, thereby forming conical portions C in a conical shape, and restoring the pentagonal cells to the hexagonal cells, thereby forming tube portions T which are the carbon nanotubes having a smaller diameter.

As described above, the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus extends the carbon nanotubes grown from the catalyst particles P to form the tube portions T at a very fast speed compared to the growth speed of the carbon nanotubes grown from the catalyst particles P, which makes it possible to form the long carbon nanostructures S in a relatively short time. Therefore, even if the time for continuously growing the carbon nanotubes from the catalyst particles P is kept short, the carbon nanostructures S can be formed sufficiently long.

Further, it is considered that the carbon nanostructure production apparatus promotes the introduction of carbon atoms at the growth points of the carbon nanotubes by applying tension, that is, wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas to the carbon nanotubes grown from the catalyst particles P. Therefore, it is considered that the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus can further increase the growth rate of the carbon nanotubes, and as a result, the length of the obtained carbon nanostructure S is increased.

As the substrate B, for example, a heat-resistant glass substrate such as a silicon substrate or a quartz glass plate, a ceramic substrate such as alumina, or the like can be used. The substrate holding mechanism 4 may be configured to move the longer-sized substrate B or substrates B along the flow direction of the carbon-containing gas. As described above, the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus prevents the catalyst particles P from filling the surface of the substrate B by moving the substrate B, which makes it possible to continuously manufacture the carbon nanostructures S.

[ method for producing carbon nanostructure ]

The carbon nanostructure S may be manufactured by a carbon nanostructure manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The carbon nanostructure production method can be carried out using the carbon nanostructure production apparatus of fig. 2, but is not limited to the method using the carbon nanostructure production apparatus of fig. 2.

The carbon nanostructure production method includes: a growth step (see fig. 3) in which the plurality of catalyst particles P in close contact with each other are separated in a flow of a carbon-containing gas to grow carbon nanotubes R between the plurality of catalyst particles P; and an extension step (see fig. 4) in which at least one catalyst particle P is held and the carbon nanotube R is extended by wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas.

As described above with reference to the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus of fig. 2, in the growth step, a disintegratable catalyst D may be disposed in the flow of the carbon-containing gas, the disintegratable catalyst D being disintegrated and releasing the plurality of catalyst particles P when subjected to wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas.

In the extending step, the catalyst particles P may be captured and retained by the substrate B arranged along the flow of the carbon-containing gas.

In the extension step, while the catalyst particles P located at one end of the carbon nanotubes R are held (captured by the substrate B), wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas may act on the catalyst particles P located at the other end, thereby effectively extending the carbon nanotubes R as shown in fig. 4. Further, in the extending step, while the catalyst particles P located at both ends of the carbon nanotube R are held, wind pressure of the carbon-containing gas may act on the carbon nanotube R or the tube portion T extending from the carbon nanotube R to extend the carbon nanotube R. In this case, the tube portion of the carbon nanostructure S has a curved shape, for example, a U shape.

Other conditions in the carbon nanostructure manufacturing method may be the same as those described in the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus in fig. 2.

< advantages >

The carbon nanostructure manufacturing method and the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus may use wind pressure of a carbon-containing gas to extend the carbon nanotubes R formed between the catalyst particles by the vapor growth method, thereby manufacturing the carbon nanostructure S including the tube portion T and the conical portion C.

In the carbon nanostructure S produced by the carbon nanostructure production method and the carbon nanostructure production apparatus, the tube portion T is formed by extending the carbon nanotube R formed by the vapor phase growth method, and therefore a long carbon nanostructure S can be effectively obtained.

As described above, since the carbon nanostructure S can be efficiently produced and can be easily made to have a long size, the carbon nanostructure S can be used for various purposes.

Since the carbon nanostructure S includes the conical portion C having a larger diameter at the tip, it is relatively easy to fill other materials in the tube portion T.

[ other embodiments ]

The embodiments disclosed herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description, and not limitation in all respects. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by the above description, but by the scope of the claims, and that all modifications equivalent to the meaning and scope of the claims are included.

The catalyst supply mechanism in the carbon nanostructure manufacturing apparatus may be configured to supply a plurality of catalyst particles formed in advance in a particle form, instead of the disintegratable catalyst. As a specific example, the catalyst supply mechanism may be configured to expose a plurality of deposited catalyst particles to a flow of carbonaceous gas such that the catalyst particles in the surface layer are successively blown away.