Structural and microstructural study of novel stacked toroidal carbon nanotubes. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gubernat, Maciej; Zambrzycki, Marcel; Fraczek-Szczypta, Aneta; Blazewicz, Stanislaw
• Is Part Of: Micron. Volume 130(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: toroidal carbon -- non-catalytic growth -- carbon support; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Electron Probe Microanalysis -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Microscopie -- Périodiques; Microscopy; Periodicals; 502.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2019.102816
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-4328

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: New carbon nanofibrous forms with stacked toroidal carbon nanotubes were obtained Non- catalytic deposition from methane on graphite allowed for nanofibers growth The substrate surface porosity was crucial for the growth of obtained nanostructure Abstract: The work presents a new carbon nanostructure in the form of stacked toroidal carbon nanotubes (STCNT) crystallized from the gas phase through a catalyst-free deposition process. Vapor-grown STCNT were obtained on a graphite substrate using methane as a source of carbon. The carbon structure was analyzed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The TEM images revealed that the nanostructured carbon phase consisted of a single toroidal element (toroid) that was composed of rolled multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The SEM/EDX study of different substrate sites showed the presence of the pure carbon structure. The average external diameter of a single toroid was 1000 nm, and the average distance between neighboring toroids was 100 nm. The space inside the toroids contained carbon spheres made of turbostratic crystallites.