A simple route for the synthesis of coral-like accretion of hollow carbon microspheres with thin walls

Coral-like accretion of hollow carbon microspheres with thin walls has been successfully synthesized through a carbon dissolution–precipitation process, where the decomposition of cyclohexane on nickel powder, at 550 °C in a sealed system, and is followed by rapid cooling. The final product is tens of microns in size with smooth and uniformly thin shell thickness of approximately 3–4 nm. XRD, FESEM, EDX, TEM, HRTEM and Raman spectra were used to characterize the products. The effects of reaction temperature, type of carbon source and cooling process on the formation of the final products have been studied, and a possible formation mechanism for the coral-like product has been proposed. This coral-like accretion of large capacity hollow carbon microspheres has potential applications as a catalyst carrier, in storage or protection of unstable organic materials and microreactors.