Jl. Chen et al., Formation of bamboo-shaped carbon filaments and dependence of their morphology on catalyst composition and reaction conditions, CARBON, 39(10), 2001, pp. 1467-1475
Carbon filaments and nanometric carbon particles formed from methane on nan
o-sized Ni-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst at 720-830 degreesC were investigated with a t
ransmission electron microscope. Bamboo-shaped carbon filaments were found
formed at moderate temperatures. Their morphology depends on the amount of
copper doped into the catalyst, the composition of the feed gas and the rea
ction temperature. Under appropriate conditions, a morphologically pure bam
boo-shaped carbon filament can be produced. It is likely that the formation
of the quasi-liquid state of the metal nanoparticles during the growth of
the carbon is critical for the formation of bamboo shape. The sensitivity o
f the carbon morphologies to the nano-carbon to the characteristics of cata
lyst and reaction conditions provides some room for the nanosize constructi
on with carbon under moderate catalytic conditions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien
ce Ltd. All rights reserved.