Synthesis and characterization of carbon nanofibers by catalytic chemical vapor deposition using non-ferromagnetic metal complexes.

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have wide applications in energy storage devices, electrically conducting composites, selective adsorbents, and catalyst supports. Catalytic chemical vapor deposition was carried out in this work to synthesize CNFs at mild temperatures of 700 and 800 degrees C. Non-ferromagnetic metal complexes of La, Nb, and Ti, spread on porous NaX-type zeolite support, were tested as new catalyst. CNFs ranging from 30 to 200 nm in diameter were obtained. Images of transmission electron microscopy showed encapsulated transition-metal nanoparticles by CNFs. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the crystalline structures of La (FCC), Nb (BCC), and Ti (HCP) formed over zeolite. Magnetic hysteresis loops showed superconductivity from the CNF-encapsulated Nb at 2 K. Raman spectra showed that all the samples possessed graphitic and amorphous carbon structures. Based on the SEM images and Raman spectra, the three metals all catalyzed the synthesis of CNFs.