Synthesis and characterization of carbon filaments grown from Pd3P colloids

Abstract

Amorphous carbon filaments were synthesized by catalytic pyrolysis of propene over Pd3P colloids. The channel close to the center of the filaments usually contained particles, which were analyzed by analytical electron microscopy to be palladium. The palladium particles could be found anywhere along the filament. The carbon filaments were of two types and of different diameters, about 8–15 nm and about 40–80 nm. The thinner type of filament shows a channel diameter of about 5 nm. The type of filament produced depends on the reaction conditions. Increased reaction time results in a large number of filaments, whereas an increased propene gas flow results in more of the thicker type of filaments.