The peculiarities of carbon interaction with catalysts during the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials Original Research Article

Catalysts based on metals of the iron group (Fe, Ni, Co) and their alloys are used in different methods of carbon nanomaterial production. The selection of optimal regimes for these processes calls for fundamental consideration of processes on the catalyst. An investigation of the distribution and thermally activated redistribution of interstitial carbon atoms in the volume and surface of crystalline films has been carried out. These crystals have a b.c.c. lattice and various types of free facets. The kinetic curves of interstitial atom redistribution under changes of temperature have been studied. Correlation has been made between theoretical calculations and experimental data for the graphitization of Fe–C, Ni–C, Co–C alloys and Fe–C alloy with V, Cu, Ti, Co or Ni impurities. The energetic conditions and possibility of macroscopic surface segregation of interstitial atoms have been established.