The dependence of the oriented growth of carbon filaments on the intensity of a magnetic field

Carbon filaments have been obtained by the thermal decomposition of mesitylene in the presence of a strong magnetic field. The shape dependence of the pristine carbon filaments on increasing the magnetic field is demonstrated. The proposed mechanism for filament growth involves the formation of a colloid-like system during dehydrogenation and dissociation of mesitylene. The imposed orientation of graphitic clusters (basic structural units) in the strong magnetic-field forces those located at the curved surfaces forming the tips of the filaments to expose their reactive edges, facilitating the observed preferential growth of filaments.