Low-temperature fabrication of carbon nanofibers with improved graphitization via incorporating carbonaceous inclusions

Abstract

Owning to one-dimensional nanostructure, excellent electrical and thermal conductivities, carbon nanofibers should be suitable applied in composite, gas storages and electronic devices. Generally, carbon nanofibers have been fabricated by electrospinning and following high-temperature thermal treatment. Here, we report fabrication of graphitized carbon nanofibers via nozzle-less electrospinning and subsequent low-temperature thermal treatment. The graphitization of carbon nanofibers have been improved through incorporating graphite, graphene and carbon nanotubes in precursor solution. Morphology, structure and electrochemical performance of carbon nanofibers with different inclusions have been characterized, and results indicate carbon nanofibers with graphite show the highest graphitization degree and excellent electrochemical performance.