Production of novel amorphous carbon nanostructures from ferrocene in low-temperature solution Original Research Article

The synthesis of long amorphous carbon nanotube bundles and nanoribbons via the self-catalysis-decomposition of ferrocene in benzene solution at low temperatures (<210 °C) has been reported. This is the first time nanotube bundles and nanoribbons composed of pure amorphous carbon have been synthesised. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the products. The gas chromatogram–mass spectra confirm the role of ferrocene as the carbon source, and the emergence of iron clusters indicates their catalysis effect. It is also found that high reaction temperatures or a strong alkaline reducing agent is not appropriate for this route.