Variable Temperature Synthesis of Tunable Flame-Generated Carbon Nanoparticles

Francesca Picca,Mario Commodo,Angela Di Pietro,Andrea D’Anna,Patrizia Minutolo

doi:10.3390/c7020044

Abstract

In this study, flame-formed carbon nanoparticles of different nanostructures have been produced by changing the flame temperature. Raman spectroscopy has been used for the characterization of the carbon nanoparticles, while the particle size has been obtained by online measurements made by electrical mobility analysis. The results show that, in agreement with recent literature data, a large variety of carbon nanoparticles, with a different degree of graphitization, can be produced by changing the flame temperature. This methodology allows for the synthesis of very small carbon nanoparticles with a size of about 3–4 nm and with different graphitic orders. Under the perspective of the material synthesis process, the variable-temperature flame-synthesis of carbon nanoparticles appears as an attractive procedure for a cost-effective and easily scalable production of highly tunable carbon nanoparticles.

Highlights

The scientific interest on the formation and characterization of soot from fuel-rich combustion processes has been historically motivated by mainly two factors: their environmental impact when released into the atmosphere, their effects on climate change [1,2], and their negative effects on human health, especially when generated at the nanoscale level [3,4,5]
The transformation of carbon nanoparticles formed in flames as the flame temperature is increased is explored
Carbon nanoparticles with sizes of 3–4 nm have been generated and collected from fuel-rich laminar premixed flames having different maximum flame temperatures

Summary

Introduction

The scientific interest on the formation and characterization of soot from fuel-rich combustion processes has been historically motivated by mainly two factors: their environmental impact when released into the atmosphere, their effects on climate change [1,2], and their negative effects on human health, especially when generated at the nanoscale level [3,4,5]. The formation of carbon nanoparticles from combustion and pyrolytic processes, commonly referred to as carbon black, has attracted remarkable interest as a material for a long time, and many industrial applications are available [6]. For instance, has attracted much attention in recent years, mostly originating from the pioneering work of Liu et al [7], which showed for the first time the use of candle soot as a source material for the preparation of photoluminescent CNPs. Other reported applications include the use of soot as a hole extractor layer in perovskite solar cells [8], electron acceptor material in blends with poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) for organic solar cells [9], anode material in high-rate lithium-ion batteries [10], or use as a supercapacitor electrode material [11]. Mulay et al [20] recently reviewed the preparation and usage of candle soot for a large variety of applications

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion