Effect of “cobalt–carbon nanotubes” catalysts on anthracene coking

Abstract

Coking of anthracene at 400–600°C in the presence or in the absence of a cobalt catalyst supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was studied for the first time. The coking products were examined by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The CoO-CNTs catalyst considerably (by 50°C) decreased the temperature of the onset of coking and accelerated the coke formation. The presence of CoO-CNTs changed the coke morphology. Whereas coking of pure anthracene affords ~1 micron spherical particles of poorly crystallized carbon, in the presence of the catalyst, a carbon “coating” covering the CNT surface is formed.