Oxidation-resistant graphitic surface nanostructure of carbon black developed by ethanol thermal decomposition

Abstract Carbon black surface nanostructure developed by ethanol thermal decomposition was investigated to examine a potential surface treatment process for enhancing oxidation resistance. The product gas composition indicated that carbon deposited from carbon monoxide as well as methane. The development of graphitic structure was revealed by means of Raman spectroscopy, and the increase in oxidation resistance was demonstrated using thermogravimetric analysis. These results indicate that the created nanostructure has higher crystallinity than the original carbon black. Furthermore, carbon black surface morphology and internal crystalline structure were observed using a transmission electron microscope, and the formation of oxidation-resistant graphitic surface nanostructure was confirmed.