Graphitization behavior of carbon nanofibers prepared by the floating catalyst method

Carbon fibers with average diameter 60 nm were mass-produced by the floating catalyst method. Structure characteristics of these as-grown carbon nanofibers were investigated through high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was shown that poor graphitization is the main question for engineering application of the carbon nanofibers. To obtain high quality carbon nanofibers, as-grown nanofibers were annealed at 2500 °C for 30 min under protection of an Ar atmosphere, and the structure of carbon nanofibers annealed were investigated through HRTEM and XRD. Microstructure change of the carbon nanofibers was discussed after annealing treatment.