Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks as novel precursors for microwave synthesis of carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Till date metallocenes, especially ferrocene is the only reliable precursor for microwave synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNT). In this manuscript we report the utility of cobalt or palladium based ZIF (Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks) as a single precursor for microwave synthesis of CNT. Nitrogen doped, bamboo structured, micrometer long carbon nanotubes are grown on microwave susceptible surfaces such as graphene and carbon fibers using Co-ZIF or Pd-ZIF as the CNT source to give unique mesoporous three dimensional carbon nanostructures (G-Co@NCNT and G-Pd@NCNT). The utility of synthesized G-Co@NCNT as anode in lithium ion batteries and G-Pd@NCNT in electro-oxidation of formic acid is also reported.