Synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanocoils using codeposited thin film of Fe-Sn as catalyst

Multiwalled carbon nanocoils (CNCs) have been synthesized by a method of thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using a codeposited thin film consisting of Fe and Sn as catalysts. It has been found that the multiwalled CNCs are thinner and have a higher crystallinity than conventional CNCs. The catalyst particles are observed at the roots of CNCs, with diameters much larger than the line diameters of the coils. These large particles are formed by the aggregation of Sn and Fe reduced by the C2H2 gas in CVD. These results indicate that Sn plays a crucial role in the growth of the multiwalled CNCs, and a base growth mechanism that differs from conventional growth mechanisms has been experimentally observed and analyzed.