Production of carbon nanochains and nanotubes from biomass

A method for producing carbon nanotubes, the method comprising:

• subjecting a feedstock/catalyst mixture comprising a carbon-containing feedstock and a catalyst to irradiation with a laser to convert the feedstock into carbon nanotubes in the presence of the catalyst, wherein
• the carbon-containing feedstock is a biomass, a carbonaceous material, or a combination thereof;
• and
• the catalyst is an elemental metal, an alloy, or a combination thereof.

A method for producing carbon nanochains, the method comprising:

• subjecting a feedstock/catalyst mixture comprising a carbon-containing feedstock and a catalyst to pyrolysis to convert the mixture to a feedstock/catalyst-containing char;
• and
• subjecting the char to irradiation with a laser to convert the feedstock into carbon nanochains in the presence of the catalyst, wherein
• the carbon-containing feedstock is a biomass, a carbonaceous material, or a combination thereof;
• and
• the catalyst is a transition metal salt.

A method for producing carbon nanotubes, the method comprising:

• subjecting a feedstock/catalyst mixture comprising a carbon-containing feedstock and a catalyst to pyrolysis to convert the mixture to a feedstock/catalyst-containing char;
• and
• subjecting the char to irradiation with a laser to convert the feedstock into carbon nanotubes in the presence of the catalyst, wherein
• the carbon-containing feedstock is a biomass, a carbonaceous material, or a combination thereof;
• and
• the catalyst is an elemental metal, an alloy, or a combination thereof.