The AC powered electric arc has been used to synthesize single wall carbon nanohorns aggregates with Ca dispersed inside. To this purpose the electric arc has been ignited between two electrodes, one of which was constituted by a mixture of graphite and CaCO3. The experimental evidence on the microstructure and on the chemical composition has been obtained by observation with a transmission electron microscope equipped with X-ray microanalysis. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of residual CaCO3 indicating that the process has still to be optimized. The experiment represents a first attempt to decorate carbon nanostructures with alkaline earth metals, in particular Ca, by this relatively simple method. These composites are theorized to adsorb relevant amounts of hydrogen. Further work will be focused to optimize the dispersion of Ca atoms in the carbon nanostructure. © 2010 Materials Research Society.
Synthesis of Ca decorated carbon nanostructures for hydrogen storage
Mirabile Gattia D.;Montone A.;Piscopiello E.;Mingazzini C.
2010-01-01
Abstract
The AC powered electric arc has been used to synthesize single wall carbon nanohorns aggregates with Ca dispersed inside. To this purpose the electric arc has been ignited between two electrodes, one of which was constituted by a mixture of graphite and CaCO3. The experimental evidence on the microstructure and on the chemical composition has been obtained by observation with a transmission electron microscope equipped with X-ray microanalysis. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of residual CaCO3 indicating that the process has still to be optimized. The experiment represents a first attempt to decorate carbon nanostructures with alkaline earth metals, in particular Ca, by this relatively simple method. These composites are theorized to adsorb relevant amounts of hydrogen. Further work will be focused to optimize the dispersion of Ca atoms in the carbon nanostructure. © 2010 Materials Research Society.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
