Vapor-grown carbon nanofibers synthesized from a Fe2O3–Al2O3 composite catalyst

Abstract Vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized from a Fe 2 O 3 -Al 2 O 3 composite ceramic catalyst. It was revealed that the CNF constructions and structures depended on the catalyst phase. Fe 2 O 3 solid solution and FeAlO 3 catalysts synthesized fine CNFs with diameter of 10–15 nm. These CNF structures were similar to those of MW-CNTs. Notably, the FeAlO 3 catalyst could synthesize aligned CNF structures. The secondary phase precipitated from FeAlO 3 in the specific crystal direction and this precipitation induced the cleavage fracture of FeAlO 3 grain during CNF synthesis. As a result, CNFs grew on the specific plane and aligned in one direction.