Preparation of palm oil based nano carbons by floating catalyst method

Abstract

Nano carbon composites have been prepared by floating catalyst method using nebulized spray pyrolysis method. A mixture of ferrocene catalyst and palm oil was utilized to prepared nano carbon composites. Prior to the synthesis of nano carbon composites, the catalyst concentration in the palm oil (1, 2 and 5% wt) and reaction temperatures was varied to control the nano carbon compositions.The structural and morphology characteristics of carbon composites were then investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The chemical bonding properties of the composites was studied by means of X-ray photoelectron (XPS), Fourier Transform Infra Red and Raman spectroscopies. XPS studies showed a presence of a sp3 bonded carbon sites. These results were then confirmed by Raman spectroscopy that showed that the ID/IG ratio was affected by the presence of Fe-catalyst. In addition, it was shown by the observation of transmission electron microscopy that the spheres have a turbostatic structure. The possible use of CNSs in the electrochemical fields especially as electrodes in lithium ion batteries will be the main application in our experiments.