Electrodeposition of Ni Catalyst on Tungsten Substrates and Its Effect on the Formation of Carbon Nano- and Micro-coils
Abstract
Carbon micro-coils and nano-coils were produced in high yield from nickel catalyst particles electrochemically deposited onto tungsten substrates. Various electrochemical deposition techniques were used to produce the nickel catalyst particles. These particles catalyzed the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of acetylene at 800 deg. C, resulting in growth of carbon micro- and nano-coils. Linear-sweep (cyclic) voltammetry produced catalyst particles which resulted in single-filament coils intermixed with thin nanotubes over most of the substrate surface. Passing the same amount of charge by constant current electrolysis produced nickel particles that decomposed carbon but did not grow coils. Catalyst particles deposited by constant current electrolysis grew nanocoils similar to linear-sweep voltammetry but in small, localized, high-yield patches. The coils produced were either spring-like micro-coils of low pitch and large diameter or rope-like nano-coils of higher pitch and smaller diameter. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed typical graphite fringes in the filaments, but did not reveal an internal tubular structure. Catalyst particles were often detected at the ends of the coils.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADP014251
Entities
People
- Erik Einarsson
- George M. Coia
- Josie Prado
- Jun Jiao
Organizations
- Portland State University