Preparation and characterization of olivary carbon by pyrolysis of ethanol with the manganese acetate as promoter via solvothermal method

A new single step, efficient, and scalable process was developed for synthesis of olivary carbon microparticles with a diameter of 4-6 mu m at the middle and a length 8-12 mu m by pyrolysis (under 600 degrees C) of ethanol with manganese acetate as the promoter. The physical and chemical structures of the olivary carbon were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The content of the olivary carbon in the product is related to the pyrolysis temperature, the reaction time, and the dosage of the promoter. The content of the olivary carbon was over 90% of the product under the optimum condition. A possible formation process of the olivary carbon has been put forward according to the experimental data available.