Single-step synthesis of nanocomposite of copper and carbon nanoparticles using arc discharge in liquid nitrogen

A new strategy for single-step synthesis of copper and carbon nanoparticle composite by arc discharge in liquid nitrogen was proposed. The synthesized products consist of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) which include multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) and multi-shelled carbon nanocapsules (MSCNCs) containing Cu clusters inside. Evidence of transmission electron microscopic analyses reveal that under with arc current of 180 A arc discharge between copper and graphite electrodes in liquid nitrogen could provide MSCNCs with narrow size distribution in a range of 70–150 nm. Meanwhile, MWCNTs with diameter of 20–40 nm and length of 150–350 nm became selectively synthesized under the condition of discharge in liquid nitrogen with arc current of 100 A. Spectroscopic analyses confirm that copper nanoparticles are cuprite while BET analyses also reveal that the synthesized nanocomposite possess acceptably high specific surface area.