In situ synthesis of platelet graphite nanofibers from thermal decomposition of poly(ethylene glycol).
Platelet graphite nanofibers (PGNFs) were synthesized by in situ thermal decomposition from a mixture containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) serving as the carbon source and nickel chloride (NiCl(2)) serving as the catalytic precursor. The mixture was conducted by thermal treatment under a nitrogen atmosphere at 750 degrees C and results found PGNFs with high purity and a uniform diameter distribution formed without hydrocarbon gases in the process. Observations using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed PGNFs with a high degree of graphitization, well-ordered graphene layers, and uniform diameters of 10-20 nm. Thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry-mass spectrometry was employed to study the thermal decomposition phenomena of the mixture (PEG/NiCl(2)) before the thermal process. The analysis clarified the in situ synthesis growth mechanism of PGNFs from the mixture.
Huang
Chao-Wei
CW
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi 62102, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Li
Yuan-Yao
YY
D006108:Graphite / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D013818:Thermogravimetry
D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C022838:nickel chloride; D006108:Graphite; D009532:Nickel