Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanofibers and nanotubes by the pyrolysis of acetylene with iron nanoparticles prepared using a hydrogen-arc plasma method

Abstract

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized at different temperatures by the catalytic pyrolysis of acetylene with iron nanoparticles prepared using a hydrogen-arc plasma method. The obtained carbon nanomaterials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. An iron nanoparticle was always located at the tip of CNFs or CNTs, whose diameter was approximately identical with the diameter of the iron nanoparticle. The structures of the products were closely related to the reaction temperature, and could be changed from fibers to tubes by simply increasing the temperature. CNFs were obtained at the reaction temperature of 550–650 °C. When the reaction temperature was increased to 710–800 °C, CNTs were obtained.