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The Formation Of Carbon Nanofibers And Thin Films From The Catalytic Decomposition Of Ethylene By Palladium, Mark A. Atwater

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

It has been demonstrated that palladium can be an exceptional catalyst toward the deposition of solid carbon from ethylene in two distinct forms: nanofibers and thin films. Four forms of palladium were tested: sputtered film, foil, sub-micron powder, and nanopowder. The deposition of carbon can be achieved by a very simple method. In this method ethylene and oxygen or hydrogen are flowed through a single-zone, horizontal tube furnace at atmospheric pressure and temperatures typically from 550-700°C. The addition of a secondary gas such as oxygen or hydrogen is vital in driving the deposition. Although both gases improve deposition, the manner …