Synthesis of nanostructured carbon material by electroreduction in fused alkali carbonates

Carbon fine powders were obtained by the electrochemical reduction of liqui d ternary system lithium-sodium-potassium carbonates at 450 degreesC using nickel electrodes. The analysis of these powders by transmission electron m icroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements revealed the coexistence of th ree different forms of carbon: graphite, amorphous carbon and carbon nanost ructures. The third has an average diameter of about 10 nm and is self-orga nized into long "ropes".