Graphitic Carbon Nanoparticles from Asphaltenes

摘要

We report preliminary studies on the preparation of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) of ～20 nm in diameter derived from asphaltenes under mild conditions. This transformation occurred upon heating a thin film of asphaltenes cast on a carbon coated copper grid under both nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere. The resulting CNPs were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning/transmission electron microscopy (SEM/STEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental analysis (EA) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The findings point towards asphaltenes, a crude oil by-product, as a potential source for carbon nanomaterials.