Synthesis of Carbon Nanofibers Formed on Density-controlled Ni Catalyst

Preformed nickel nanoparticles are utilized for catalyst to synthesize carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The nanoparticles are attached to the substrate by spraying colloidal solution containing themselves and drying out. Then, CNFs were synthesized by using DC plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (DC-PECVD) at 480degC. Spraying-drying method is very simple to obtain particle-type catalyst with uniform diameter on the substrate and allows easy control of the catalyst density by adjusting the concentration of colloidal solution as well as cycles of spraying-drying process. The field emission characteristics of the CNFs grown by the aid of preformed nickel catalyst are investigated