Synthesis and characterization of Y-shaped carbon fibers by chemical vapor deposition

In this work, Y-shaped carbon fibers with high purity were successfully synthesized by CVD using copper tartrate as a catalyst precursor at low reaction temperature, 279 degrees C. A model has been proposed for interpreting the mechanism of the Y-shaped carbon fibers growth. It is suggested that the introduction of hydrogen is the key factor to the formation of three carbon fibers growth faces on every the agglomeration of copper monocrystalline catalyst particles and lead to the formation of Y-shaped carbon fibers subsequently. The Y-shaped carbon fibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.