Effect of Sulfur Concentration on the Morphology of Carbon Nanofibers Produced from a Botanical Hydrocarbon

Pradip Ghosh,Kaushik Ghosh,Takashi Jimbo,Tetsuo Soga,Kenji Sumiyama,Ryoji Katoh,Yoshinori Ando

doi:10.1007/s11671-008-9143-3

Pradip Ghosh, Kaushik Ghosh + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11671-008-9143-3

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Abstract

Carbon nanofibers (CNF) with diameters of 20–130 nm with different morphologies were obtained from a botanical hydrocarbon: Turpentine oil, using ferrocene as catalyst source and sulfur as a promoter by simple spray pyrolysis method at 1,000 °C. The influence of sulfur concentration on the morphology of the carbon nanofibers was investigated. SEM, TEM, Raman, TGA/DTA, and BET surface area were employed to characterize the as-prepared samples. TEM analysis confirms that as-prepared CNFs have a very sharp tip, bamboo shape, open end, hemispherical cap, pipe like morphology, and metal particle trapped inside the wide hollow core. It is observed that sulfur plays an important role to promote or inhibit the CNF growth. Addition of sulfur to the solution of ferrocene and turpentine oil mixture was found to be very effective in promoting the growth of CNF. Without addition of sulfur, carbonaceous product was very less and mainly soot was formed. At high concentration of sulfur inhibit the growth of CNFs. Hence the yield of CNFs was optimized for a given sulfur concentration.

Highlights

Carbon nanofibers have attracted the tremendous attention because of their potential applications in the field of science and technology
We have studied the effect of sulfur concentration on the morphology of carbon nanofibers with the use of natural precursor: Turpentine oil, a carbon feedstock, ferrocene as catalyst and sulfur as promoting agent
Carbon nanofibers with diameters 20–130 nm were grown successfully when turpentine oil containing ferrocene and sulfur was used as feedstock in the growth process

Summary

Introduction

Carbon nanofibers have attracted the tremendous attention because of their potential applications in the field of science and technology. We have studied the effect of sulfur concentration on the morphology of carbon nanofibers with the use of natural precursor: Turpentine oil, a carbon feedstock, ferrocene as catalyst and sulfur as promoting agent.

Results

Conclusion