Catalyst nanocomposites templates of carbon nanoribbons, nanospheres and nanotubes

Several attractive types of amorphous or crystalline carbon nanostructure were obtained by a single catalytic process, during natural gas decomposition using different nanostructured catalysts as template. The nanostructured catalyst templates were based on transition metal nanoparticles embedded in carbon matrixes and nanoceramic supports which consist of magnesium oxide doped with ceria rare earths, prepared by the high-energy mechanical milling. The yield and the nature of the nanostructured carbon are strongly influenced by the preparation method of the template and the chemical composition of the catalysts.