Synthesis of nanocrystalline carbon upon methane pyrolysis in arc discharge

摘要

We have studied a carbon material synthesized upon methane pyrolysis in the AC arc discharge using graphite electrodes. Methane was heated by passing through one of the electrodes. Carbon was condensed on the electrodes near the region of arc glow. The synthesized material was analyzed with the help of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray-phase spectroscopy, and Raman scattering spectroscopy. It is found that the synthesized material is a nanocrystalline carbon material composed of closed carbon nanostructures of various forms, carbon nanotubules, and fullerene-like (bulbous) particles. The synthesized material morphology is similar to the structure of the material precipitating onto the cathode in an arc discharge during anode sputtering in an inert gas medium.