Direct synthesis of carbon nanomaterials via surface activation of bulk copper

A facile and novel surface activation approach using a strong-base solution enables the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) directly from bulk copper substrates via chemical vapor deposition. Amorphous carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were grown at temperatures as low as 250 degrees C, whereas at 600 degrees C the nanofibers were observed to be turbostratic, and at 700 degrees C turbostratic CNFs were synthesized together with a new aerogel-like 3D porous turbostratic CNM. A mechanistic model for the observed growth of CNMs from surface activated bulk copper is proposed. Our process is shown to yield conformal CNF growth on various complex-shaped copper substrates, such as meshes and wires, as well as coppercoated materials including carbon fibers and polymer films. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A novel surface activation approach using a strong-base solution enables the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials directly from bulk copper substrates via chemical vapor deposition. The study introduces a mechanistic model for the observed growth of carbon nanomaterials, showing conformal growth on various copper substrates and copper-coated materials.