Radial textured carbon nanoflake spherules

A unique type of carbon structure, radial textured carbon nanoflake spherules, has been synthesized by a microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The spherules with a diameter of 1.2-35 mu m consist of a number of radially distributed carbon nanoflakes growing from a common core. The constituent nanoflakes are interlaced and perpendicular to the surface of spherules, forming a large amount of open edge planes. Thus, the carbon nanoflake spherules are isotropic graphite with a larger surface area and higher surface activity, which can be demonstrated by Raman scattering spectroscopy with two characteristic peaks of 860 and 1140 cm(-1). (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.