Synthesis and microstructure of Fe3C encapsulated inside chain-like carbon nanocapsules

Aligned array of chain-like carbon nanocapsules was successively prepared by a simple CVD process. XRD and HRTEM analyses revealed the carbon nanochains were filled with Fe3C particles other than Fe. EELS and elemental mapping displayed that there exist a few N atoms doping in the nanochains wall. Electron beam irradiation indicated that the nanochain was formed by the converging of conjoint multi-nanocapsules. Periodic supply of ferrocene and the coalescent of adjacent nanocapsules were the two dominant factors for the growth of nanochains structures. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.