Synthesis and characterization of novel carbon nanotube array supported Fe3C nanocomposites with honeycomb structures

• Novel three-dimensional hybrid CNT/Fe3C nanostructures were synthesized.
• CNT/Fe3C nanocomposites display a superhydrophobic surface.
• CNT/Fe3C nanocomposites exhibit excellent magnetic and photocatalytic performance.

Novel three-dimensional hybrid nanostructures of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube arrays supported Fe3C nanoparticles with long-range periodicity were synthesized by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and monolayer colloidal crystals (MCCs) template method. The growth mechanism of this unique hybrid structure can be attributed to the double effects of plasma pretreatment and the microstructure of MCCs. Periodical assembly of vertically aligned CNTs and Fe3C nanoparticles leads to a superhydrophobic surface, superior magnetic performance and high activity in photocatalytic degradation toward methyl orange (MO). The enhancement of photocatalytic activity can be ascribed to the efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes at the interface of CNT and Fe3C. The proposed method provides a new way for the fabrication of three-dimensional CNT-inorganic hybrid nanostructures, which can find attractive applications in catalysis and electrocatalysis.

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