Whisker carbon in perspective

A summary is given of the work that aims at describing the parameters guiding the formation of whisker carbon as well as at understanding the growth mechanism. David Trimm played an important role in the pioneering work. The present knowledge is illustrated by recent high-resolution electron micrographs.

TEM image of an “octopus”-type carbon structure.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (111 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A historical overview is given of whisker carbon formation studies.
► A new whisker growth mechanism based on DFT and in situ HRTEM is emphasized.
► Growth of graphene is mediated by metal step sites and by surface-confined atom transport.
► The mechanism explains the effect of many different promoter atoms.