Aligned CNx nanotubes by pyrolysis of ferrocene/C60 under NH3 atmosphere

Wei Qiang Han, Philipp Kohler-Redlich, Torsten Seeger, Frank Ernst, Manfred Rühle, Nicole Grobert, Wen Kuang Hsu, Bao He Chang, Yan Qiu Zhu, Harold W. Kroto, David R.M. Walton, Mauricio Terrones, Humberto Terrones

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

128 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aligned CNx(x<0.1) nanotubes have been generated by pyrolyzing ferrocene/C60 mixtures at 1050°C in an ammonia atmosphere. The structure and composition of the product were determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and high spatial resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy. The CNx tubes (15-70 nm diameter, <50 μm length) grown in large flakes (<3 mm2) consist of a reduced number of "graphitic" layers (<15 on either side) arranged in a bamboo-like structure. Areas of high nitrogen concentration were found within curved or corrugated "graphite-like" domains. The observation of a well-developed double peak in the σ* feature of the N K-edge suggests that the material has not undergone the transition to the fullerene-like phase known for nitrogenated carbons. Incorporation of nitrogen from the gas phase (NH3) into CNx nanotubes therefore leads to improved and more efficient N substitution into the network as compared to the synthesis with solid nitrogen-containing precursors reported earlier.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1807-1809
Number of pages3
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume77
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 18 2000

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

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