Effect of Reaction Temperature on the Morphology of Carbon Nanofibers

Carbon nanofibers with various morphologies were synthesized by the catalytic pyrolysis of acetylene using nickel catalyst nanoparticles at different reaction temperatures. Experimental results demonstrate that temperature is a critical parameter for controlling the size and morphology of carbon fibers. Twin coiled fibers and linearly bifurcating fibers emanating from nickel particles were formed at 400 °C; whereas, only linear carbon nanofibers were obtained at reaction temperatures of 450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C. At low temperatures, nickel nanoparticles remain in the middle of two fibers, while nickel particles are positioned at one end of the linear fibers at high temperatures.