Tree-like carbon grown from camphor

Macroscopic multi-branched tree-like carbon has been prepared by the chemical vapor deposition of camphor in argon using ferrocene as catalyst. The results show that the building blocks forming the carbon trees are carbon microspheres. Both the diameter of the tree branches and the size of the carbon microspheres become smaller with increasing ferrocene content. The ratio of tree branch diameter to carbon microsphere size is about 1.35, which is independent of the ferrocene content. Increasing the argon flow rate in the range of 500–2500 ml/min benefits the growth of carbon trees, and the most favorable argon flow rate is 2000–2500 ml/min. Increasing the reaction temperature in the range of 1000–1150 °C can enhance the coalescence of the carbon microspheres, and thus result in the carbon trees with smooth and straight branches.