Chlorine effect on the formation of carbon nanofibers.

Platelet graphite nanofibers (GNFs) and turbostratic carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are synthesized by the thermal evaporation and decomposition of a polymer-based mixture at 700 degrees C using Ni as a catalyst. The mixture consists of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), serving as the carbon source, and hydrochloric acid solution (HCl(aq)), serving as the promoter/additive for the growth of CNFs. High-purity zigzag-shaped platelet GNFs form with 10 wt% HCl(aq) as an additive in the PEG. The diameters of the platelet GNFs are in the range of 40-60 nm, with lengths of a few micrometers. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images indicate a high degree of graphitization and well ordered graphene layers along the fiber axis. In contrast, high-purity turbostratic CNFs form with 20 wt% HCl(aq) in the PEG. The diameter and length of the turbostratic CNFs are 20-40 nm and a few micrometers, respectively. The participation of HCl in the thermal process leads to the formation of Ni-Cl compounds. The amount of chlorine affects the shape of the Ni catalyst, which determines the type of CNF formed.

A carbonyl iron/carbon fiber material for electromagnetic wave absorption.

A carbonyl iron/carbon fiber material consisting of carbon fibers grown on micrometer-sized carbonyl iron sphere, was synthesized by chemical vapor deposition using a mixture of C2H2 and H2. The hollow-core carbon fibers (outer diameter: 140 nm and inner diameter: 40 nm) were composed of well-ordered graphene layers which were almost parallel to the long axis of the fibers. A composite (2 mm thick) consisting of the carbonyl iron/carbon fibers and epoxy resin demonstrated excellent electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption. Minimum reflection losses of -36 dB (99.95% of EM wave absorption) at 7.6 GHz and -32 dB (99.92% of EM wave absorption) at 34.1 GHz were achieved. The well-dispersed and network-like carbon fibers in the resin matrix affected the dielectric loss of the EM wave while the carbonyl iron affected the magnetic loss.

Synthesis of ZnO nanowires and their applications as an ultraviolet photodetector.

High purity ZnO nanowire arrays were synthesized uniformly on a 1.5 cm x 2 cm tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) glass substrate. The ZnO nanowire arrays were formed with a uniform diameter distribution of 30-50 nm and a length of about 5 microm, synthesized via thermal decomposition of zinc acetate at 300 degrees C in air. Analysis by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that the ZnO nanowires are of single crystal structure with a preferred growth orientation of [001]. A study of the growth mechanism showed that it is a vapor-solid (VS) growth process. The synthesis of these nanowires begins with the processes of dehydration, vaporization, decomposition, and oxidation of the zinc acetate. Next, the ZnO clusters are deposited to form seeds that give rise to selective epitaxial growth of the ZnO nanowires. Optical analysis of ZnO nanowires was performed by UV-visible and fluorescence spectrophotometry, investigating both the photocurrent characteristics and UV photoresponse of the ZnO nanowire photodetectors. A study of optical properties showed that the as-produced ZnO nanowires have great potential as UV photodetectors/sensors.