One-step catalytic growth of carbon nanofiber arrays vertically aligned on carbon substrate

Vertically aligned carbon nanofiber (VA-CNF) arrays on carbon substrate have been synthesized via one-step chemical vapor deposition process on copper foil, by using acetylene as carbon resource. Three types of carbon nanostructures, viz. bare carbon films, CNFs and VA-CNFs grown on carbon substrate, could be selectively synthesized by only modulating the concentration of C2H2 and NH3 in the feeding gases. It was found that NH3 was a key factor in the growth of VA-CNF arrays, which could increase the diffusion capability of copper atoms in carbon materials, therefore promote forming larger spherical Cu NPs catalysts for the growth of VA-CNFs. Furthermore, a growth mechanism in different feeding gas compositions was proposed.

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► Acetylene as carbon resource and copper foil as catalyst.
► Three carbon nanostructures are synthesized by modulating feeding gas compositions.
► NH3 is a key factor in the growth of VA-CNF arrays.