Carbon nanosheets with catalyst-induced wrinkles formed by plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition

Substrates with and without catalyst layers have been tested for the capacitively coupled radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition of carbon nanosheets (CNSs) at a temperature as low as 500 °C. Glass coated with Ni, Ni/Co, Co/Ni, and Ni/Zn and glass without a catalyst layer were used as the substrates. CNSs were only obtained on substrate samples with a catalyst layer. The morphology of the CNSs was catalyst dependent. Both flat and standing CNSs were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the CNSs deposited on a Ni/Zn catalyst layer have densely distributed catalyst-induced wrinkles, while still sustaining a planar structure. The numerous wrinkles mean that these CNSs may serve as catalyst supports, ultracapacitor electrodes and gas-sensor materials. Electron diffraction and Raman studies showed that the CNSs obtained in this experiment are reasonably graphitized.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Flat and standing carbon nanosheets are obtained on glasses by PECVD under 500 °C. ► Densely distributed wrinkles are induced into flat carbon nanosheets by catalyst. ► carbon nanosheets with wrinkles have a lot of potential applications.