Synthesis of uniform carbon micro-coils by using hybrid catalyst of Fe thin film and SnO2 powder

Carbon micro-coils (CMCs) with high yield have been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using hybrid catalyst. The hybrid catalysts consist of two forms, i.e. thin film catalyst and powered catalyst, which was selected. It was found that the prepared catalyst by the combination of Fe thin film and SnO2 power exhibits the highest uniformity, which significantly results in uniform carbon micro-coils. The optimum condition for thickness of Fe thin film is 300 nm, and the size of SnO2 powders is approximate 100 nm. The fiber diameter of the as-grown CMCs is determined by the size of the SnO2 particles after treatment with Fe film by CVD. CMCs with controlled diameters have an average coil diameter of 3.36 µm, a fiber diameter of 385 nm, and a pitch of 1.82 µm. A 90% of yield of CMCs is achieved.

[1]  Zeng-min Shen,et al.  Preparation of carbon microcoils and nanocoils using activated carbon nanotubes as catalyst support , 2005 .

[2]  Yukio Hishikawa,et al.  Electromagnetic wave absorption property of carbon microcoils in 12–110 GHz region , 2003 .

[3]  Yoshikazu Nakayama,et al.  Growth mechanism of carbon nanocoils , 2002 .

[4]  Xiuqin Chen,et al.  The growth patterns and morphologies of carbon micro-coils produced by chemical vapor deposition , 1999 .

[5]  Rodney S. Ruoff,et al.  Mechanics of a Carbon Nanocoil , 2003 .

[6]  Masayuki Kawaguchi,et al.  PREPARATION OF COILED CARBON FIBERS BY CATALYTIC PYROLYSIS OF ACETYLENE, AND ITS MORPHOLOGY AND EXTENSION CHARACTERISTICS , 1991 .

[7]  Proximity electron lithography using permeable electron windows , 2007 .

[8]  S. Akita,et al.  Synthesis of Multiwalled Carbon Nanocoils Using Codeposited Thin Film of Fe–Sn as Catalyst , 2008 .

[9]  Xiuqin Chen,et al.  Tactile sensing properties of protein-like single-helix carbon microcoils , 2006 .

[10]  Dawei Li,et al.  Highly efficient synthesis of carbon nanocoils by catalyst particles prepared by a sol–gel method , 2010 .

[11]  Shuo-Hung Chang,et al.  High-yield synthesis of carbon nanocoils on stainless steel , 2008 .

[12]  Masaki Ichihara,et al.  Morphology and microstructure of spring-like carbon micro-coils/nano-coils prepared by catalytic pyrolysis of acetylene using Fe-containing alloy catalysts , 2005 .

[13]  P. S. Harris,et al.  Unique form of filamentous carbon , 1975, Nature.

[14]  G. G. Stokes.  "J." , 1890, The New Yale Book of Quotations.

[15]  Xiuqin Chen,et al.  Controllable synthesis of carbon microcoils/nanocoils by catalysts supported on ceramics using catalyzed chemical vapor deposition process , 2007 .

[16]  H. Takikawa,et al.  Parametric Study on Growth of Carbon Nanocoil by Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition , 2005 .

[17]  X. B. Zhang,et al.  A Formation Mechanism for Catalytically Grown Helix-Shaped Graphite Nanotubes , 1994, Science.

[18]  S. Motojima,et al.  Preparation, Morphology, and Growth Mechanism of Carbon Nanocoils , 2002 .