Synthesis and characterization of carbon filaments grown from Pd3P colloids

Amorphous carbon filaments were synthesized by catalytic pyrolysis of prope ne over Pd3P colloids. The channel close to the center of the filaments usu ally contained particles, which were analyzed by analytical electron micros copy to be palladium. The palladium particles could be found anywhere along the filament. The carbon filaments were of two types and of different diam eters, about 8-15 nm and about 40-80 nm. The thinner type of filament shows a channel diameter of about 5 nm. The type of filament produced depends on the reaction conditions. Increased reaction time results in a large number of filaments, whereas an increased propene gas flow results in more of the thicker type of filaments.