Investigating the Graphitization Mechanism of SiO2 Nanoparticles in Chemical Vapor Deposition

The use of SiO2 as a catalyst for graphitic nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, is a new and rapidly developing catalyst system. A key question is whether carbide phases form in the reaction. We show the formation of SiC from SiO2 nanoparticles for the synthesis of graphitic carbo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inACS nano Vol. 3; no. 12; pp. 4098 - 4104
Main Authors Bachmatiuk, Alicja, Börrnert, Felix, Grobosch, Mandy, Schäffel, Franziska, Wolff, Ulrike, Scott, Andrew, Zaka, Mujtaba, Warner, Jamie H, Klingeler, Rüdiger, Knupfer, Martin, Büchner, Bernd, Rümmeli, Mark H
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published American Chemical Society 22.12.2009
Subjects
nonmetal catalysis
carbothermal reduction
carbon nanotubes
SiC
carbon nanofibers
graphene
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Summary:The use of SiO2 as a catalyst for graphitic nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes and graphene, is a new and rapidly developing catalyst system. A key question is whether carbide phases form in the reaction. We show the formation of SiC from SiO2 nanoparticles for the synthesis of graphitic carbon nanostructures via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 900 °C. Our findings point to the carbothermal reduction of SiO2 in the CVD reaction. The inclusion of triethyl borate apparently accelerates the process and leads to improved yields. The study helps better understand the growth mechanisms at play in carbon nanotube and carbon nanofiber formation when using SiO2 catalysts.
ISSN:1936-0851
1936-086X
DOI:10.1021/nn9009278