Catalyst-free and template-free preparation of semi-cylindrical carbon nanoribbons

1-D carbon nanomaterials were prepared by a novel catalyst-free and template-free synthesis based on the carbonization of in situ formed fibrous polymer precursors. The products had ribbon-like shapes and a mean diameter of ∼40 nm. The proposed method is simple, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly, and yields promising candidate materials for applications such as electrostatic dissipation and touch screens.