Synthesis of carbon nanofibers via hydrothermal conversion of cellulose nanocrystals

Carbon nanofibers of 1–2 nm height and micrometer length were synthesized via a hydrothermal conversion of cellulose nanocrystals at 240 °C. The fibers were characterized by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. In the hypothesized mechanism, the self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals prior to their carbonisation provides a template for the nanofiber formation.