Accelerated formation of nanocarbons in solution plasma using benzene substituted with CF3 group

Abstract

Nanocarbons were synthesized by a solution plasma method using benzene (C6H6) and benzotrifluoride (C5H5CF3) as precursors. The effects of the substituted CF3 group on the overall properties of synthesized nanocarbons were investigated and discussed. As determined from the characterization results, the nanocarbons obtained from both benzene and benzotrifluoride mainly exhibited an amorphous structure and their diameter was about 20–40 nm. There were no notable differences in morphology, surface area, and crystalline structure observed between them. Interestingly, the synthesis rate of nanocarbons from benzotrifluoride (20.3 mg/min) was almost three fold higher than that from benzene (7.6 mg/min). Moreover, a lower H/C ratio was observed in the case of nanocarbons from benzotrifluoride, indicating its more efficient H abstraction. The higher synthesis rate and lower H/C ratio of nanocarbons from benzotrifluoride were possibly attributed to the CF3 radicals generated in the reaction fields of solution plasma during synthesis.