Selected synthesis of carbon nanostructures directed by silver nanocrystals

By directly reducing C2Cl4 with Na, both multi-wall carbon nanotubes and graphite nanosheets were acquired at 140degreesC in the presence of silver nanocrystals. Based on weak interaction between the p orbital of Cl in C2Cl4 and the empty d orbital of Ag, C2O4 can in some cases be located on the surface of silver nanocrystals. The carbon nanostructures can be directed by the morphology of silver nanocrystals. The crooked sites of silver nanocrystals lead to the formation of multi-wall carbon nanotubes while the planar sites result in the yield of graphite sheets.