Synthesis of carbon nano-chains from glycerol-ethanol decomposition over Ni-Fe alloy catalyst

Abstract A carbon nano-structure with chain-like morphology was synthesized during ethanol-glycerol blend decomposition over Ni-Fe alloy catalyst supported on La 2 O 3 . Chemical characterization of catalyst showed that the active phase during carbon decomposition process corresponds to Taenite and the growth for this carbon nanostructure follows a similar mechanism to that proposed for carbon nano-onions (CNOs), but does not imply the formation of carbides species over the catalyst surface. Also, the shape and size of the carbon nano-chains (CNCs) were influenced for both the Fe content in the alloy and the temperature of catalyst reduction.