Growth of carbon nanofibers on carbon fabric with Ni nanocatalyst prepared using pulse electrodeposition

The pulse electrodeposition (PED) technique was utilized to deposit nanosized (≤10?nm) Ni catalysts on carbon fabric (CF). Via an in?situ potential profile, the PED technique can control the Ni catalyst loading, which is an important parameter for the growth of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on CF. The preparation of CNF-coated CF (carpet-like CF) was carried out in a thermal chemical vapor deposition system with an optimum loading of Ni catalysts deposited in the PED pulse range from 20 to 320 cycles. CNFs grown at 813?K using different pulse cycles had a narrow diameter distribution, around 15 ± 5?nm to 29 ± 7?nm; they have a hydrophobic surface, like lotus leaves. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the graphene structural transformation of CNFs with the growth temperature. Solid wire CNFs were initially grown at 813?K with graphene edges exposed on the external surface. At elevated growth temperatures (1073 and 1173?K), bamboo-like CNFs were obtained, with herringbone structures and intersectional hollow cores.     

A Simple Method for the Fabrication of Metallic Copper NanospheresDecorated Cellulose Nanofiber Composite

Herein, we report a new and simple method for the preparation of metallic copper nanospheres decorated cellulose nano?ber composite(CuN Ss/CNFs). Initially, the cellulose acetate nano?bers(CANFs were electrospun followed by deacetylation and anionization to produce functional anionic cellulos nano?bers(f-CNFs). The Cu Cl_2 precursor was deposited on the f-CNFs(Cu Cl_2/CNFs) by a simple dippin method. Then the CuCl_2/CNFs were reduced under vacuum by using aluminum foil to produce the CuN Ss CNFs. The resultant Cu NSs/CNFs composite was characterized by various microscopic and spectroscopi methods. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) con?rmed the successful functionalization o anionic groups with the CNFs. The ?eld emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) and transmis sion electron microscope(TEM) results con?rmed the formation of Cu NSs on the surface of CNFs. From the scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy(SEM-EDS) analysis, the weight per centage of Cu was found to be 23.5 wt%. The successful reduction of Cu O to metallic Cu was con?rme by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy(XPS) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) analyses. Mechanism has bee proposed for the formation of metallic Cu sphere on CNFs.     

Synthesis of carbon nanofibres from a liquid solution containing both catalyst and polyethylene glycol

Carbon nanofibres (CNFs) exhibiting bamboo-like, hollow fibril morphology were prepared from a mixture of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and iron-based compounds such as Fe(2)(SO(4))(3)·nH(2)O, Fe(NO(3))·9H(2)O or FeO(OH) by a thermal process. These materials were well mixed in distilled water prior to thermal treatment in an air/nitrogen atmosphere. With increasing temperature, the mixture underwent solvent removal, dehydrogenation, thermal decomposition, carbonization and catalytic graphitization to form CNFs. Results show that CNFs can be formed with different PEG/catalyst ratios (100/1-1000/1 by weight) at 750?°C. The catalyst effect is discussed for the formation of bamboo-like CNFs. The diameter of the CNFs was about 30-50?nm while the length was a few micrometres.     

Structure and electrochemical applications of boron-doped graphitized carbon nanofibers

Boron-doped graphitized carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were prepared by optimizing CNFs preparation, surface treatment, graphitization and boron-added graphitization. The interlayer spacing (d???) of the boron-doped graphitized CNFs reached 3.356 ?, similar to that of single-crystal graphite. Special platelet CNFs (PCNFs), for which d??? is less than 3.400 ?, were selected for further heat treatment. The first heat treatment of PCNFs at 2800?°C yielded a d??? between 3.357 and 3.365 ?. Successive nitric acid treatment and a second heat treatment with boric acid reduced d??? to 3.356 ?. The resulting boron-doped PCNFs exhibited a high discharge capacity of 338 mAh g?1 between 0 and 0.5 V versus Li/Li? and 368 mAh g?1 between 0 and 1.5 V versus Li/Li?. The first-cycle Coulombic efficiency was also enhanced to 71-80%. Such capacity is comparable to that of natural graphite under the same charge/discharge conditions. The boron-doped PCNFs also exhibited improved rate performance with twice the capacity of boron-doped natural graphite at a discharge rate of 5 C.     

A novel catalyst for synthesis of styrene: carbon nanofibers immobilized on activated carbon

Carbon NanoFibers (CNFs) with hierarchically structure have been immobilized onto Activated Carbon (AC) by impregnation with an aqueous solution of Fe(CH3COO)2, reduction and subsequent chemical vapor decomposition of ethylene. The morphology of the CNFs can be modulated by adjusting the pH of the Fe(CH3COO)2 solution used for impregnating the AC. A stable yield of 35% in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene was obtained at a temperature of 673 K, around 200 K lower than the current industrial process. The immobilized CNFs on AC catalysts combine the catalytic properties of the carbon nanofibers and the suprastructure of the AC host. The final material is an easy to handle active catalyst, with an open structure of immobilized CNFs avoiding the pressure drop problem, which is typically observed for fine powder forms of CNFs. The immobilized CNFs on AC are attractive for gas-phase fixed-bed industrial applications.     

Silane coupling agent structures on carbon nanofibers

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are considered ideal materials for reinforcing polymers due to their excellent mechanical properties, among others. In order to obtain composites of optimal properties the clue is to enhance the interaction between reinforcement (CNFs) and polymer matrix. Surface modification of CNFs with silane coupling agents (SCAs) has revealed as one of the most interesting methods. The silanization process has been carried out mixing at room temperature and for one minute the hydrolysed silane with CNFs. We have use four different SCAs: 3-aminopropyltriethoxyxilane (APS), 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (AMMO), N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-(aminopropyltrimethoxysilane) (DAMO), and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO), in order to elucidate the SCA-CNFs interaction and the silane structures formed on CNFs surface. XPS and FTIR-ATR techniques have pointed out that each silane adsorbs on CNFs surface through chemical bonding, forming multilayers. Silane nature determines the structure taken on CNFs surface. APS and AMO silanes adsorb taking vertical structures on CNFs surface, while DMO and GMO adsorb on CNFs taking horizontal structures, stabilized by zwitterions formed through H-bonds with hydroxyl groups from CNFs surface.     

基于Pickering乳液技术制备高强度和高透明的纤维素纳米纤维/聚苯乙烯复合材料

利用纤维素纳米纤(CNFs)稳定的油相中含有聚苯乙烯(PS)的O/W型Pickering乳液凝胶,经进一步真空过滤、溶剂洗涤和热压过程制备了CNFs增强的PS(CNFs/PS)复合材料.所得的C-CNFs/PS复合薄膜材料具有独特的多尺度的三维交联网络结构.其中,大部分PS以鹅卵石状镶嵌在微米级的三维交联网络结构中,而...     

Carbon nanotube fibers are compatible with Mammalian cells and neurons

We demonstrate the biocompatibility of carbon nanotube fibers (CNFs) fabricated from single-wall carbon nanotubes. Produced by a particle-coagulation spinning process, CNFs are "hair-like" conductive microwires, which uniquely combine properties of porous nanostructured scaffolds, high-area electrodes, and permeable microfluidic conduits. We report that CNFs are nontoxic and support the attachment, spreading, and growth of mammalian cells and the extension of processes from neurons in vitro. Our findings suggest that CNF may be employed for an electrical interfacing of nerve cells and external devices.     

Low temperature and cost-effective growth of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers using spin-coated polymer-stabilized palladium nanocatalysts

We describe a fast and cost-effective process for the growth of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) at a temperature compatible with complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology, using highly stable polymer–Pd nanohybrid colloidal solutions of palladium catalyst nanoparticles (NPs). Two polymer–Pd nanohybrids, namely poly(lauryl methacrylate)-block-poly((2-acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate)/Pd (LauMA_x-b-AEMA_y/Pd) and polyvinylpyrrolidone/Pd were prepared in organic solvents and spin-coated onto silicon substrates. Subsequently, vertically aligned CNFs were grown on these NPs by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition at different temperatures. The electrical properties of the grown CNFs were evaluated using an electrochemical method, commonly used for the characterization of supercapacitors. The results show that the polymer–Pd nanohybrid solutions offer the optimum size range of palladium catalyst NPs enabling the growth of CNFs at temperatures as low as 350 °C. Furthermore, the CNFs grown at such a low temperature are vertically aligned similar to the CNFs grown at 550 °C. Finally the capacitive behavior of these CNFs was similar to that of the CNFs grown at high temperature assuring the same electrical properties thus enabling their usage in different applications such as on-chip capacitors, interconnects, thermal heat sink and energy storage solutions.     

Low temperature and cost-effective growth of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers using spin-coated polymer-stabilized palladium nanocatalysts

Abstract

We describe a fast and cost-effective process for the growth of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) at a temperature compatible with complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology, using highly stable polymer–Pd nanohybrid colloidal solutions of palladium catalyst nanoparticles (NPs). Two polymer–Pd nanohybrids, namely poly(lauryl methacrylate)-block-poly((2-acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate)/Pd (LauMA_x-b-AEMA_y/Pd) and polyvinylpyrrolidone/Pd were prepared in organic solvents and spin-coated onto silicon substrates. Subsequently, vertically aligned CNFs were grown on these NPs by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition at different temperatures. The electrical properties of the grown CNFs were evaluated using an electrochemical method, commonly used for the characterization of supercapacitors. The results show that the polymer–Pd nanohybrid solutions offer the optimum size range of palladium catalyst NPs enabling the growth of CNFs at temperatures as low as 350 °C. Furthermore, the CNFs grown at such a low temperature are vertically aligned similar to the CNFs grown at 550 °C. Finally the capacitive behavior of these CNFs was similar to that of the CNFs grown at high temperature assuring the same electrical properties thus enabling their usage in different applications such as on-chip capacitors, interconnects, thermal heat sink and energy storage solutions.     

A Novel Process for High-efficient Synthesis of One-dimensional Carbon Nanoraaterials from Flames

The substrate pre-treatment plays a key role in obtaining hollow-cored carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and solidcored carbon nanofibers (CNFs) from flames. This paper introduces a simply and high-efficient process by coating a NiSO4 or FeSO4 layer on the substrate as catalyst precursors. Comparing with the regular pretreatment methods, the present experiments showed that the coating pre-treatment provided the following advantages: 1) greatly shortening the synthesis time; 2) available variant substrates and carbon sources; 3) narrowing the diameters distribution. The sulfate is considered to be a crucial factor at the growth of CNTs and CNFs, because it increases the surface energy of catalyst particles and the surface specificity of sulfurs action in metallic grains. This novel process provides a possibility for high quality and mass production of CNTs and CNFs from flames.     

Carbon nanofiber cementitious composites: Effect of debulking procedure on dispersion and reinforcing efficiency

The use of new reinforcing materials like carbon nanofibers (CNFs) makes it possible to produce cement based nanocomposites with revolutionary properties. However, in order to take advantage of the CNF’s excellent reinforcing efficiency it is necessary to achieve a uniform distribution in the matrix. In this work, nanofiber cementitious composites were produced containing CNFs at an amount of 0.048 wt.% of cement. To achieve good dispersion of the CNFs, a method utilizing a surfactant and ultrasonic processing, was employed. The method was optimized using two parameters: the effect of ultrasonic energy and the effect of surfactant to CNF (SFC/CNF) ratio. Initially, the SFC/CNF ratio on the dispersion of two types of CNFs, one subjected to a new special debulking method and one with minimal debulking process, was investigated. An ultrasonic energy of 2800 kJ/l and a SFC/CNF ratio close to 4.0 was found to be optimal for effective dispersion. Following these values, cement based nanocomposites reinforced with four types of CNFs, subjected to different debulking processes and having different morphology, were produced. Their nanostructure was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their mechanical performance was evaluated using fracture mechanics tests. All four CNFs were found to control nanoscale cracking. As a result, both the flexural strength and the stiffness of the nanocomposites were significantly improved. Furthermore, the reinforcing efficiency of the CNFs in the cementitious matrix was shown to depend on the debulking procedure: at later ages, the use of the CNF subjected to the special debulking process was found to be more efficient in improving the mechanical performance of the nanocomposites.     

Designed fabrication of hierarchical porous carbon nanotubes/graphene/carbon nanofibers composites with enhanced capacitive desalination properties

Carbonaceous materials, one of the most important electrode materials for sea water desalination, have attracted tremendous attention. Herein, we develop a facile and effective two-step strategy to fabricate hierarchical porous carbon nanotubes/graphene/carbon nanofibers (CNTs/G/CNFs) composites for capacitive desalination application. Graphite oxide (GO), Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ are introduced into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers by electrospinning method. During the annealing process, the PAN nanofibers are carbonized into CNFs felt, while the CNTs grow in situ on the surface of CNFs and graphite oxide are reduced into graphene simultaneously. Benefiting from the unique hierarchical porous structure, the as-prepared CNTs/G/CNFs composites have a large specific surface area of 223.9 m² g^?1 and excellent electrical conductivity. The maximum salt capacity of the composites can reach to 36.0 mg g^?1, and the adsorbing capability maintains a large retention of 96.9% after five cycles. Moreover, the effective deionization time of the CNTs/G/CNFs composites lasts more than 30 min, much better than the commercial carbon fibers (C-CFs) and graphene/carbon nanofibers (G/CNFs) composites. Results suggest that the designed hierarchical porous CNTs/G/CNFs architecture could enhance the capacitive desalination properties of electrode materials. And the possible adsorption mechanism of the novel electrode materials is proposed as well.     

Effect of the on/off cyclic modulation time ratio of C2H2/H2 flow on the low temperature deposition of carbon nanofilaments

Low temperature (less than 600 degrees C) deposition of carbon nanofilaments (CNFs) could be achieved on the silicon oxide substrate by thermal chemical vapor deposition system. We used Fe(CO)5 as the catalyst precursor for CNFs formation. For the enhancement of CNFs formation density, the source gas flow was intentionally manipulated as the cyclic on/off modulation of C2H2/H2 flow during the initial deposition stage. The CNFs formation density on silicon oxide substrate could be much enhanced by the cyclic modulation process having the higher growing/etching time ratio (180/30 s). Furthermore, the lattice structures of CNFs developed into carbon nanotubes at the higher growing/etching time ratio (180/30 s) case. The solely hydrogen gas feeding (C2H2 flow off) time during the initial deposition stage seems to play an important role for the variation in the CNFs formation characteristics by the cyclic modulation process.     

A Novel Process for High-efficient Synthesis of One-dimensional Carbon Nanomaterials from Flames

The substrate pre-treatment plays a key role in obtaining hollow-cored carbon nanotubes （CNTs） and solid-cored carbon nanofibers （CNFs） from flames. This paper introduces a simply and high-efficient process by coating a NiSO4 or FeSO4 layer on the substrate as catalyst precursors. Comparing with the regular pre-treatment methods, the present experiments showed that the coating pre-treatment provided the following advantages： 1） greatly shortening the synthesis time; 2） available variant substrates and carbon sources; 3） narrowing the diameters distribution. The sulfate is considered to be a crucial factor at the growth of CNTs and CNFs, because it increases the surface energy of catalyst particles and the surface specificity of sulfurs action in metallic grains. This novel process provides a possibility for high quality and mass production of CNTs and CNFs from flames.     

Microstructure of low temperature processed CNFs/glass nanocomposites

Carbon nanofibers/glass (CNF/G) nanocomposites were obtained from a glass powder of low melting point and pristine CNFs. Green bodies containing from 0 to 22 % (v/v) of CNFs were sintered under nitrogen atmosphere in the 550–700 °C temperature range with different holding times. A fully microstructure characterization, by means of Hg porosimetry and N₂ adsorption, was carried out for understanding the CNFs/G composites behavior during the sintering process. This understanding is required to optimize the microstructural design of CNFs/glass nanocomposite materials. During sintering two different and simultaneous phenomena occur the matrix crystallization and the pore formation. The glass matrix crystallization temperature decreases from 650 to 550 °C, when CNFs concentration increases to 22 % (v/v). The glass matrix produces the CNFs degradation and generates gaseous species which lead to homogeneous or foamy materials. This depends on the CNFs concentration and thermal treatment conditions. Foamy nanocomposites present pore size distributions with pores <0.1 and close to 20 μm. The glass matrix wets the CNFs and produce their degradation been of 1 % of carbon loss in all nanocomposites.     

Surface coating on carbon nanofibers with alumina precursor by different synthesis routes

Alumina-reinforced carbon nanofiber nanocomposites were prepared using different routes; powders mixture, colloidal route and sol-gel process followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS). CNFs/xAl₂O₃ (x = 10-50 vol.%) were prepared through nanopowders mixing in a high-energy attrition milling. The main limitations in the preparation of this kind of nanocomposites are related to the difficulty in obtaining materials with a homogeneous distribution of both phases and the different chemical nature of CNFs and Al₂O₃, which causes poor interaction between them. A surface coating of CNFs by wet chemical routes with an alumina precursor is proposed as a very effective way to improve the interaction between CNFs and Al₂O₃. An improvement of 50% in fracture strength was found for similar nanocomposite compositions when the surface coating was used. The improved mechanical properties of these nanocomposites are caused by stronger interaction between the CNFs and Al₂O₃.     

Mechanical performance and architecture of biocomposite honeycombs and foams from core–shell holocellulose nanofibers

CNFs (cellulose nanofibers) based on holocellulose have a pure cellulose fibril core, with a hemicellulose coating. The diameter is only around 6–8 nm and the hemicellulose surface coating has anionic charge. These CNFs are used to prepare honeycomb and foam structures by freeze-drying from dilute hydrocolloidal suspensions. The materials are compared with materials based on “conventional” cellulose CNFs from sulfite pulp with respect to mechanical properties in compression. Characterization methods include FE-SEM of cellular structure, and the analysis includes comparisons with similar materials from other types of CNFs and data in the literature. The honeycomb structures show superior out-of-plane properties compared with the more isotropic foam structures, as expected. Honeycombs based on holocellulose CNFs showed better properties than sulfite pulp CNF honeycombs, since the cellular structure contained less defects. This is related to better stability of holocellulose CNFs in colloidal suspension.     

TEMPO氧化纤维素纳米纤丝对多壁碳纳米管分散性的影响

以竹粉为原料,采用2,2,6,6-四甲基哌啶-1-氧自由基（TEMPO）氧化法通过改变NaClO的添加量制备出不同羧基含量及形态的纤维素纳米纤丝（CNFs）,并将制备的CNFs作为分散剂对多壁碳纳米管（MWCNTs）进行分散处理,得到不同分散浓度的CNFs/MWCNTs悬浮液,采用Beer-Lambert定律对MWCNTs的分散量进行测定,并采用原子力显微镜（AFM）、激光粒度分析仪（LPSA）等手段评价了不同羧基含量及形态的CNFs对MWCNTs的分散效果。结果表明:随着NaClO添加量的增加,CNFs的横截面直径逐渐变小,羧基含量逐渐增加,同时,CNFs对MWCNTs的分散量逐渐增大;当CNFs的羧基含量从0.635 mmol/g增加到1.646 mmol/g时,对MWCNTs的分散量从19%增加到39%;不同CNFs/MWCNTs悬浮液中的粒度分布系数（PDI）值均小于0.3,且不同悬浮液的Zeta电位绝对值均高于30 mV,表明不同羧基含量的CNFs均能对MWCNTs有较好的分散效果;同时,随着羧基含量的增加,CNFs对MWCNTs的分散效果越好,CNFs/MWCNTs复合薄膜的抗拉应力逐渐增大,而且电阻率逐渐降低,当CNFs羧基含量为1.646 mmol/L时,CNFs/MWCNTs复合薄膜抗拉应力达到了91 MPa,薄膜电阻率低至0.1460 Ωcm。      

Effect of filler functionalization on thermo-mechanical properties of polyamide-12/carbon nanofibers composites: a study of filler–matrix molecular interactions

The effect of carbon nanofiber (CNF) functionalization on the thermo-mechanical properties of polyamide-12/CNF nanocomposites was investigated. Three main different surface treatments were performed to obtain CNF-OH (OH rich), CNF-Silane (C₆H₅Si–O–), and CNF-peroxide. CNF modified with poly-(tert-butyl acrylate) chains grown from the surface via ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization) were also prepared and tested. The modified CNFs and neat CNFs were used as fillers in polyamide-12 nanocomposites and the properties of the ensuing materials were characterized and compared. Universal tensile tests demonstrated a substantial increase (up to 20 %) of the yield strength, without reduction of the final elongation, for all functionalized samples tested within 1 wt% filler content. Further evidences of mechanical properties improvement were given by dynamic mechanical thermal analyses. CNFs functionalized with poly-(tert-butyl acrylate) and silane exhibited the best performance with stiffening and strengthening at low (≤1 wt%) filler loadings, via a partial decrease of the intensity of β-transitions attributed to favorable interactions between the functional groups on the surface of functionalized CNFs and polyamide-12. CNFs treated with peroxide proved to be the most simple preparation technique and the ensuing nanocomposites exhibited the highest storage modulus at high (5 wt%) filler content. Theoretical simulations using the micro-mechanics model were used to predict the Young modulus of the composites and compare them with experimental data. The results obtained suggest a synergistic effect between the matrix and the filler enhanced by surface functionalization.