Multiwall carbon nanotubes grown by thermocatalytic carbonization of polyacrylonitrile (original) (raw)
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Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, 2000
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CVD Synthesis of Hierarchical 3D MWCNT/Carbon-Fiber Nanostructures
Journal of Nanomaterials, 2008
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized by CVD on industrially manufactured highly crystalline vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCFs). Two catalyst metals (Ni and Fe) and carbon precursor gases (C 2 H 2 and CO) were studied. The catalysts were deposited on the fibers by sputtering and experiments carried out in two different reactors. Samples were characterized by electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Iron was completely inactive as catalyst with both C 2 H 2 and CO for reasons discussed in the paper. The combination of Ni and C 2 H 2 was very active for secondary CNT synthesis, without any pretreatment of the fibers. The optimal temperature for CNT synthesis was 750 • C, with total gas flow of 650 cm 3 min −1 of C 2 H 2 , H 2 , and Ar in 1.0:6.7:30 ratio.
Plos One, 2018
This study deals with the fabrication of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers via an electrospin-ning process followed by stabilizing and carbonization in order to remove all non-carbo-neous matter and ensure a pure carboneous material. The as-spun PAN fibers were stabilized in air at 270˚C for one hour and then carbonized at 750, 850, and 950˚C in an inert atmosphere (argon) for another one hour. Differential scanning calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy were employed to determine the thermal and chemical properties of PAN. Surface features and morphologies of PAN-derived carbon nanofibers were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM micrograms showed that fiber diameters were reduced after carbonization due to evolution of toxic gases and dehydrogenation. The Raman spectra of carbonized fibers manifested D/G peaks. The Raman spectroscopy peaks of 1100 and 500 cm-1 manifested the formation of γ phase and another peak at 900 cm-1 manifested the formation of α-phase. The water contact angle measurement of carbon-ized PAN fibers indicated that the nanofibers were superhydrophobic (θ > 150 o) due to the formation of bumpy and pitted surface after carbonization. In DSC experiment, the stabilized fibers showed a broad exothermic peak at 308˚C due to cyclization process. The mechanical andThermal analysis was used to ascertain mechanical properties of carbonized PAN fibers. PAN-derived carbon nanofibers possess excellent physica and mechanical properties and therefore, they may be suitable for many industrial applications such as energy, bio-medical, and aerospace.
Nanotechnology, 2008
Hybrid nanofibers with different concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were fabricated using the electrospinning technique and subsequently carbonized. The morphology of the fabricated carbon nanofibers (CNFs) at different stages of the carbonization process was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The polycrystalline nature of the CNFs was shown, with increasing content of ordered crystalline regions having enhanced orientation with increasing content of MWCNTs. The results indicate that embedded MWCNTs in the PAN nanofibers nucleate the growth of carbon crystals during PAN carbonization.
Synthesis of carbon nanotubes on carbon fibers by means of two-step thermochemical vapor deposition
Carbon, 2006
The present study aimed at development of a method for synthesizing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on carbon paper substrates (CP) at densities as high as those so far reported for CNTs formed on quartz substrates. Applying conditions optimized for CNTs synthesis on quartz substrates, in which CP was heated at 1073 K, being placed parallel to the flow of m-xylene/ferrocene vapor, resulted in formation of extremely few deposits on CP. Forced vapor flow through the CP greatly improved the frequency and homogeneity of deposition of the Fe-bearing nanoparticles, but these became encapsulated by carbon and deactivated. The addition of H 2 S to the vapor further enhanced nanoparticle deposition. Moreover, it enabled the subsequent formation of CNTs at densities as high as 2-6 • 10 9 cm À2. In order to realize such high population densities, it was found essential to perform CVD in a two-stage sequence commencing with nanoparticles deposition at 1073 K followed by the formation and growth of CNTs at 1273 K, with the H 2 S concentration in the vapor phase optimized throughout within a range of 0.014-0.034 vol%.
Synthesis of nano-carbon (nanotubes, nanofibres, graphene) materials
Bulletin of Materials Science, 2011
In the present study, we report the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a new natural precursor: castor oil. The CNTs were synthesized by spray pyrolysis of castor oil-ferrocene solution at 850°C under an Ar atmosphere. We also report the synthesis of carbon nitrogen (C-N) nanotubes using castor oilferrocene-ammonia precursor. The as-grown CNTs and C-N nanotubes were characterized through scanning and transmission electron microscopic techniques. Graphitic nanofibres (GNFs) were synthesized by thermal decomposition of acetylene (C 2 H 2 ) gas using Ni catalyst at 600°C. As-grown GNFs reveal both planar and helical morphology. We have investigated the structural and electrical properties of multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs)-polymer (polyacrylamide (PAM)) composites. The MWNTs-PAM composites were prepared using as purified, with ball milling and functionalized MWNTs by solution cast technique and characterized through SEM. A comparative study has been made on the electrical property of these MWNTs-PAM composites with different MWNTs loadings. It is shown that the ball milling and functionalization of MWNTs improves the dispersion of MWNTs into the polymer matrix. Enhanced electrical conductivity was observed for the MWNTs-PAM composites. Graphene samples were prepared by thermal exfoliation of graphite oxide. XRD analysis confirms the formation of graphene.
Carbon fibers modified with carbon nanotubes
Journal of Materials Science, 2009
Carbon nanotubes were used to modify a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer solution before the manufacture of the carbon fiber precursor. The modified PAN fibers were spun from a dimethylformamide solution containing a small amount of single-walled carbon nanotubes. The fibers were characterized by thermogravimetry and optical and scanning electron microscopy. Structure, morphology, and selected properties of the composite polymeric fibers and the fibers after carbonization are characterized. The mechanical properties of the fibers are examined. It is found that nanotubes in the PAN solution have a strong tendency to form agglomerates that inhibit suitable macromolecular chain orientation of the carbon fiber precursor. Fibers manufactured from such a solution have similar mechanical properties to those from a pure PAN precursor, and after carbonization the resultant carbon fibers are very weak. A comparison of pure carbon fibers and those containing nanotubes reveals slight differences in their structural ordering.
Microchimica Acta, 2008
Vapor-grown carbon microfibers were synthesized pyrolytically on electrochemically pretreated polyacrylonitrile-based carbon microfibers (PAN-CFs) without introducing any catalyst. Cyclohexane was used as the carbon source for the growth of fibers in a thermal chemical vapor deposition process (CVD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used for the characterization of the fibers. Microscale carbon fibers with about 1 to 2 mm in diameter were formed at 1123 K, while carbon microfibers of about 0.3 mm in diameter were synthesized at 1048 K. A pretreatment at negative potential or sequentially at both positive and negative potentials was found to be a prerequisite for the growth of carbon microfibers in the CVD process. Without electrochemical pretreatment or when only a positive potential was applied, the growth of microscale carbon fibers did not occur.