KOR

e-Article

Microwave Plasma Formation of Nanographene and Graphitic Carbon Black
Document Type
article
Source
C, Vol 6, Iss 4, p 70 (2020)
Subject
graphene
microwave driven plasma synthesis
nanostructure
TEM
TGA
Raman
Organic chemistry
QD241-441
Language
English
ISSN
2311-5629
Abstract
Aerosol formation of novel carbons offers potential for scale and purity unmatched by condensed phase processes. A microwave driven plasma drives decarbonization of methane to form solid carbon as an aerosol. Dependent upon gas mixture, different forms of carbon are produced: 2D nanographene and a 3D graphitic carbon black analogue. TEM reveals the morphological differences and nanostructure. The ability to tune the dominant form is demonstrated by control of the CH4/Ar ratio. TGA plots reveal the change in products with feed gas composition and quality by oxidation temperature shift. Corresponding Raman analysis illustrates control of graphene content and lamellae quality by peak ratios. To test the origins of the graphitic particles and nanographene, a commercial carbon black was seeded into the microwave reactor, demonstrating a path for graphitic nanostructure evolution and confirming the molecular growth origins for the nanographene.