Carbon nanofibers: Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been synthesized by co-catalyst deoxidization process by a reaction between C2H5OC2H5, Zn and Fe powder at 650 °C for 10 h. These nanofibers exhibit diameters of ∼80 nm and lengths ranging from several micrometers to tens of micrometers. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy indicate that as-prepared CNFs possess low graphitic crystallinity. The resultant CNFs as electrode shows capacity of ∼220 mAh/g and high reversibility with little hysteresis in the insertion/deintercalation reactions of lithium-ion. In addition, the possible growth of CNFs is discussed.