Dopants as Morphology Promoters: a Fundamental Study of the Role of Boron and Sulfur in the Formation of MWNT Junctions

POSTER

Abstract

We have synthesized CNT-based hierarchical structures via an aerosol assisted CVD process. Our experiments consist of pyrolyzing a solution containing C and Fe sources together with small amounts of B and S sources (800-900C, Ar atmosphere). The resulting structures consist of micron-size fibers decorated with short multi-walled carbon nanotubes that resemble ``nanotentacles.'' The materials have been characterized by SEM, HRTEM, EELS, TGA, XRD, XPS and Raman spectroscopy. Finally, these materials have been tested for its possible application in batteries and supercapacitors.

Authors

  • Lakshmy Pulickal Rajukumar

    The Pennsylvania State University

  • Ana L. El\'Ias

    Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA, The Pennsylvania State University, Penn State University, University Park, PA, Penn State University, Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Amber D. McCreary

    The Pennsylvania State University

  • Arava Leela Mohana Reddy

    Rice University

  • Kaushik Kalaga

    Rice University

  • Nestor Perea-Lopez

    Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA, The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania State University, Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Martha E. Audiffred

    The Pennsylvania State University

  • David Swanson

    The Pennsylvania State University

  • Humberto R. Gutierrez

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292 USA., University of Louisville, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Louisville, KY

  • Robert Vajtai

    Rice University

  • Pulickel M. Ajayan

    Rice University, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA

  • Humberto Terrones

    The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Mauricio Terrones

    The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania State University, Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University