Synthesis of twisted carbon fibres comprised of four intertwined helical strands

NiSO4/Al2O3 was reacted with H2 and C2H2 in a fluidised-bed reactor at 650 °C to form Ni/Al2O3 and H2S. The Ni catalyst became coated with a moderately graphitised (0.6 ID/IG ratio) carbonaceous product containing twisted carbon fibres, 200–500 nm in diameter and up to 27 μm in length. The fibres are comprised of four intertwined helical strands and are a unique carbon morphology. Their growth pattern and surface morphology is attributed to differing carbon extrusion speeds from the faces of the polycrystalline Ni catalyst particles that have been modified by H2S.