Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers sVACNFsd were synthesized on Ni-coated Si substrates using a dc plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition system. The size of the Ni islands used as catalyst to grow the VACNFs was formed by both thermal annealing and laser processing on thin metal layers. It was observed that the diameter of the carbon nanofibers is strongly dependent on the initial Ni isla...

Abstract: In the electrospinning process, a modified parallel electrode method (MPEM), conducted by placing a positively charged ring between the needle and the parallel electrode collector, was used to fabricate highly aligned carbon nanotubes/polyacrylonitrile (CNTs/PAN) composite nanofibers. Characterizations of the samples—such as morphology, the degree of alignment, and mechanical and cond...

Polyamide 6 (PA6) was melt-blended with an intumescent flame retardant (FR), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and nanoclay particles to produce multi-component FR-PA6 nanocomposites. FR-PA6 nanofibers were processed from varied nanocomposite formulations via electrospinning. Electrospinnability, morphology, along with combustion and thermal properties of the nanofibers were investigated. Bo...

The graphene interlayer spacing in pure graphite is known to have a minimum value of dmin=0.3354 nm, while defective graphites typically have larger interlayer spacings. Using x-ray diffraction, we find that the graphene interlayer spacing in multi-walled carbon nanofibers heat treated above 2800 K is distinctly smaller than dmin. To explain this unusual observation, we investigate the structur...

The development of new carbon nanofibers-ceramic nanocomposite materials with excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical properties is interesting for a wide range of industrial applications. Among the ceramic materials, zirconia stands out for their excellent mechanical properties. The main limitations in the preparation of this kind of nanocomposites are related with the difficulty in obtai...

Manganese dioxide nanofibers with length ranged from 0.1 to 1 μm and a diameter of about 4-6 nm were prepared by a chemical precipitation method. Composite electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitors were fabricated by impregnation of the manganese dioxide nanofibers and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into porous Ni plaque current collectors. Obtained composite electrodes, containing 8...

Cone-shaped nanostructures of mixed composition (nanocones) and largely graphitic nanofibers were synthesized on silicon substrates using iron/platinum alloy nanoparticles as the catalyst in a direct-current plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition reactor. The catalyst nanoparticles were monodisperse in size with an average diameter of 3 (±1) nm. The nanocones were produced on laterally widel...

A new nozzle system for the efficient production of multi-layered nanofibers through electrospinning is reported. Developed a decade ago, the commonly used coaxial nozzle system consisting of two concentric cylindrical needles has remained unchanged, despite recent advances in multi-layered, multi-functional nanofibers. Here, we demonstrate a core-cut nozzle system, in which the exit pipe of th...

A facile approach to functionalize carbon nanofibers [CNFs] with nanostructured polyaniline was developed via in situ mechanochemical polymerization of polyaniline in the presence of chemically treated CNFs. The nanostructured polyaniline grafting on the CNF was mainly in a form of branched nanofibers as well as rough nanolayers. The good dispersibility and processability of the hybrid nanocomp...

Background: In light of severe and growing shortages of clean water and the rising environmental pollution in many countries, seawater desalination has been an effective method to produce freshwater. Cationic membranes have enabled environmental scientists to effectively remove toxic heavy metals from wastewater and to regenerate freshwater. Methods: We used a novel method, involving electro- ...