A model for carbon nanotube formation in the arc discharge has been developed. The model is based on the physical properties of the arc discharge plasma where the interplay of the two major components of the bimodal carbon velocity distribution (Maxwellian and directed) dominates the nanotube creation process in a zone near the cathode surface. The processes of seed structures and nanoparticles formation, termination, and restart of nanotube growth, and multishell tube formation are considered self-consistently. The proposed model can explain qualitatively most of the known experimental facts related to the nanotube formation. Comparison to experiments has been provided and some consequences of the model discussed.

• Received 22 February 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.52.2083