Hydrogen control of carbon deposit morphology Original Research Article

Carbon deposit morphology during catalytic disproportionation of CO is dependent on a number of variables. Hydrogen has a significant effect on the form of carbon deposited. It is proposed that the effect of hydrogen is to cause (or allow) open forms of carbon such as filaments to be produced. Hydrogen atoms serve to satisfy valences at the free edges of graphite planes. Without hydrogen, carbon will deposit in closed forms such as shells and nanotubes.