Nanocarbon production by arc discharge in water Original Research Article

Carbon nanostructures (onions, nanotubes and encapsulates) were generated by arc discharge in water between pure and catalyst-doped graphite electrodes. These structures were of fine quality and crystalline morphology, similar to those formed in He arc plasma. Emission spectroscopy was performed to assess the plasma components (H, O, C and C2) and temperature values. C2 radicals were determined quantitatively, between 1015 and 1016 cm−2 depending on graphite anode composition.The temperature was between 4000 and 6500 K.