Patent ID: 7374730

Claim:
An apparatus for formation of carbon nanotubes comprising: a container containing a hydrocarbon solution and a bulk metal catalyst, the bulk metal catalyst being in contact with the hydrocarbon solution; a laser source directed into said container, to ablate the bulk metal catalyst, producing a feedstock comprising metal catalyst nanoparticles dispersed in the hydrocarbon solution; an atomizer, comprising an inlet in communication with the container and an outlet, to vaporize the feedstock introduced through the atomizer inlet to form an aerosol that is dispersed through the atomizer outlet; a furnace, in communication with the atomizer outlet, and disposed to receive the aerosol dispersed through the atomizer outlet, said aerosol forming carbon nanotubes as the aerosol flows through the furnace; and a collector to collect the carbon nanotubes formed in the furnace.