Web Release Date: January 5,
Preparation and Characterization of Porous Carbon Nanofibers from Thermal Decomposition of Poly(ethylene glycol)
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi 62102, Taiwan, Republic of China
Received: October 7, 2007
Abstract:
Porous carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were synthesized on wafer uniformly by thermal decomposition of poly(ethylene glycol) with the presence of nickel catalyst at 600 
C under nitrogen atmosphere. High purity porous
CNFs with diameters of 40-60 nm and a few micrometers in length demonstrated a unique character of
graphitic structure and open-edge structure of mesopores. In comparison with other methods for the formation
of porous CNFs such as activation of carbon fibers or template method, our method provides a one-step
process in which the pores can be created while the fibers grow. Characterizations of porous CNFs found
that the disordered graphene layers were generated from polycrystalline Ni catalysts, and the stacking of
disordered graphene layers created 3-6 nm mesopores with open edges. Porous CNFs with open edges,
which is a different morphology from that of conventional activated CNFs, were suggested to be a good
medium for mass transport, while graphene layers may serve as a good electrical conductive medium for the
applications of electrodes, catalyst supports, and adsorption.
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