Fabrication of aluminum carbide nanowires by a nano-template reaction

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 931 - 938
• Main Authors: He, C.N., Zhao, N.Q., Shi, C.S., Song, S.Z.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Materials science; Physics; Specific materials; Powders; Thin coatings; Wetting; Growth; In situ; Carbon nanotubes; Template reaction; Aluminium; XRD; Heat treatments; Monocrystals; Composite materials; Transmission electron microscopy; Synthesis; Growth mechanism; Solids; Kinetics; Scanning transmission electron microscopy; Carbides; Diameter
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2009.10.004

Large quantities of aluminum carbide nanowires have been prepared by the in situ synthesis of carbon nanotubes within Al powder and heat treatment of the obtained nanotube/Al powder. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, selected area diffraction, and X-ray powder diffraction have been used to characterize the heat-treated composite powders and the initial one. The results showed that the Al 4C 3 nanowires with diameters ranging from 7 to 25 nm and lengths ranging from 1 to 5 μm are single-crystal. Transmission electron microscopy images indicated that growth of the Al 4C 3 nanowires occurs initially by the formation of a thin, uniform carbide coating and that further growth proceeds by inward growth of this coating with a concomitant consumption of the carbon nanotube until a solid Al 4C 3 nanowire is formed. Reactive wetting kinetics between nanotubes and Al were believed to be responsible for the growth mechanism of Al 4C 3 nanowires.