Carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers in a flash: an easy and convenient preparation of carbon nanostructures using a conventional microwave

Abstract

The growing interest in nanomaterials in different application fields calls for the implementation of simple, economically appealing, and efficient preparative methods. Among the wide variety of nanomaterials, carbon nanostructures have a special place due to their potential technological applications. Here, we present a fast, cheap, and easy-to-implement microwave-assisted method for the preparation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon fibers (CFs) at room pressure conditions. The synthesis involves heating a mixture of graphite and ferrocene contained in a simple glass tube using a conventional microwave oven. A mixture of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were obtained quickly (less than 30 s) and in good yields. The products were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy.