Preparation of carbon microcoils by catalytic decomposition of acetylene using nickel foam as both catalyst and substrate

Carbon microcoils (CMCs) were prepared by catalytic pyrolysis of acetylene containing a small amount of thiophene as a promoter at 973–1073 K using nickel foam catalyst which was also used as a substrate, with the CMC yield of about 62% relative to the introduced carbon source. The morphology of the product was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphology of the nickel foam was changed during synthesis, and the sulfur promoter and growth temperature were two important factors influencing the growth of CMCs.