Continuous growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes using chemical vapor deposition

A chemical vapor deposition process for the preparation of a single-wall carbon nanotube, comprising:

• contacting a carbon-containing gas composition with a porous membrane having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is opposite to the second side, and wherein a thin catalyst layer is present on at least the first side of the membrane, wherein the thin catalyst layer comprises Al2O3:Fe in molar ratio from about 50:1 to about 2:1, Al2O3:Mo in molar ratio from about 100:1 to about 5:1, and Fe:Mo in molar ratio from about 15:1 to about 1:2;
• and
• at a temperature sufficient to decompose said carbon-containing gas composition in the presence of said thin catalyst layer causing growth of a single-wall carbon nanotube,
• wherein a pressure differential exists across the porous membrane, the pressure on the second side being less than that on the first side.