Synthesis and TEM observation of fluffy hollow carbon spheres by FeCl3 catalyzed solvent-thermal reaction

Fluffy hollow carbon spheres with the diameter of 0.3–1.8 μm and shell thickness of 30–80 nm were successfully synthesized via FeCl3 catalyzed solvent-thermal reaction in a sealed autoclave at 350 °C for 3 h, with CaC2 and CCl4 as carbon sources and reactants. XRD and TEM observations verify that the fluffy hollow carbon spheres are composed of curved and disordered carbon flakes with the interlayer instance of approximate 0.35 nm. Furthermore, MCNTs with Fe–Mn–Cr nanorods encapsulated are also observed. A possible growth mechanism for the fluffy hollow carbon sphere is proposed.