Low-temperature synthesis of carbon onions by chemical vapor deposition using a nickel catalyst supported on aluminum

A mass of carbon onions have been successfully synthesized via catalytic decomposition of methane over an Ni/Al catalyst at a low-temperature (600 degrees C). The carbon onions as-obtained have diameters ranging from 5 to 50 nm and consist of several concentric carbon layers surrounding a hollow core. (c) 2005 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.