Synthesis of structurally controlled nanocarbons - in particular the nanobarrel carbon

Nanoporous carbons have been prepared through a selective etching reaction, performed by halogenisation of aluminum carbide. The structures obtained can be controlled by varying the chlorination temperature. The unique set of nanocarbons obtained include nanoporous amorphous structures, the nanobarrel structure and a nanographitic structure as chlorination temperatures were increased from 400 degreesC to 1000 degreesC. The synthesis process gives a pure product with high yield, and may be-scaled up to produce bulk amounts. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.