Catalytic effects of metal carbides, oxides and Ni single crystal on the vapor growth of micro-coiled carbon fibers Original Research Article

Micro-coiled carbon fibers were prepared by the impurity-activated chemical vapor deposition using the powders of metal carbides, metal oxides, and a Ni single crystal. The catalytic effect of these impurities on the coil yield and morphology were examined, and the growth mechanism is discussed. The pre-oxidized Ti plate, Ti2O3 and TiC powders, and a Ni single crystal as well as various metal powders provided the micro-coiled carbon fibers. For the Ni single crystal, the Ni(100) crystal gave the highest coil yield followed by Ni(111)and then Ni(110). It is considered that the anisotropic deposition rate of a carbon among the Ni single crystal planes is the driving force of the coiling of carbon fibers to form the coiled fibers.