Dual formation of carpets of large carbon nanofibers and thin crystalline carbon nanotubes from the same catalyst-underlayer system

A dense, micron-tall layer of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) was grown above a layer of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during the same synthesis using a thick cobalt catalyst (15 nm). The CNFs had large diameters (100 nm) and were amorphous while the CNTs had small diameter (10–20 nm) and were crystalline. Base growth mechanism was at play for both the nanofibers and the nanotubes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy characterization suggested that the main mechanisms leading to the growth of the two structures were based on the dewetting of the catalyst layer and its subsequent alloying with the Ta underlayer. We can extend these principles to grow diverse carbon nanostructures during the same synthesis using appropriate multilayer thin films for different applications, especially for electrochemical cells and supercapacitors.

Graphical abstractAmorphous carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were grown above crystalline carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during the same synthesis. The main mechanisms leading to the growth of the two structures were based on the dewetting of the Co catalyst layer and its subsequent alloying with the Ta underlayer. We can extend these principles to grow diverse carbon nanostructures during the same synthesis using appropriate multilayer thin films for different applications.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Consecutive growth of CNFs and CNTs during the same process. ► CNFs were amorphous with large diameter. ► CNTs were crystalline with thin diameter. ► Catalyst materials differed for CNFs and CNTs. ► Thermal process led to form the CNT catalyst alloy.