Dopants as Morphology Promoters: a Fundamental Study of the Role of Boron and Sulfur in the Formation of MWNT Junctions

POSTER

Abstract

We have synthesized CNT-based hierarchical structures via an aerosol assisted CVD process. Our experiments consist of pyrolyzing a solution containing C and Fe sources together with small amounts of B and S sources (800-900C, Ar atmosphere). The resulting structures consist of micron-size fibers decorated with short multi-walled carbon nanotubes that resemble ``nanotentacles.'' The materials have been characterized by SEM, HRTEM, EELS, TGA, XRD, XPS and Raman spectroscopy. Finally, these materials have been tested for its possible application in batteries and supercapacitors.

Authors

  • Lakshmy Pulickal Rajukumar

    • The Pennsylvania State University

  • Ana L. El\'Ias

    • Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
    • The Pennsylvania State University
    • Penn State University, University Park, PA
    • Penn State University
    • Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Amber D. McCreary

    • The Pennsylvania State University

  • Arava Leela Mohana Reddy

    • Rice University

  • Kaushik Kalaga

    • Rice University

  • Nestor Perea-Lopez

    • Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
    • The Pennsylvania State University
    • Pennsylvania State University
    • Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University

  • Martha E. Audiffred

    • The Pennsylvania State University

  • David Swanson

    • The Pennsylvania State University

  • Humberto R. Gutierrez

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292 USA.
    • University of Louisville
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Louisville, KY

  • Robert Vajtai

    • Rice University

  • Pulickel M. Ajayan

    • Rice University
    • Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA

  • Humberto Terrones

    • The Pennsylvania State University
    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Mauricio Terrones

    • The Pennsylvania State University
    • Pennsylvania State University
    • Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University