Interaction of graphite of different grades with ferrocene under conditions of microwave synthesis of carbon nanostructures

Abstract

A comparative analysis of the microwave activity of graphite of different grades, acting as receptors that contribute to the conversion of microwave electromagnetic energy into thermal energy, in the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials has been carried out. Ferrocene, a compound from the group of organoelement substances of the metallocene type, was used as a carbon supplier for the synthesized nanomaterials as well as a precursor of the iron catalyst for synthesis process. It is shown that, in all cases, microwave treatment of the mixtures of graphite with ferrocene leads to the formation of carbon nanostructures including twisted ropes of curved multi-walled carbon nanotubes of 16-70 nm in diameter with a characteristic matchstick morphology, containing catalyst particles at the ends, and included inside the tubes, and also encapsulated in carbon spheres; threedimensional graphite / CNT nanostructures, onion nanoparticles, the packets of graphene planes are identified. The data of electron microscopy (TEM, SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis of the obtained nanoobjects are presented.