Papers by Author: Qing Yi Hou

Abstract: The sulfur-doped Y-junction carbon nanotubes (S-YCNTs) were prepared by chemical vapor deposition of carbon disulfide using Fe as catalyst. Sulfur can be incorporated into the nanotubes with an identifiable amount, forming sulfur-doped carbon nanotubes. The growth of asymmetrical Y-branches in the nanotubes may be related to the presence of sulfur from precursor. The structure and morphology of S-YCNTs can be controlled by processing parameters. The S-YCNTs were characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, and XPS, respectively. The growth mechanism of S-YCNTs was discussed in terms of the role of sulfur from carbon feedstock.

Abstract: A novel and practical route for preparing carbon coating metal nanomaterials using polyvinyl alcohol as the starting materials was presented. Carbon coating iron nanoparticles can be effectively synthesized by carbonizing polyvinyl alcohol using Fe as catalyst in hydrogen flow. The carbohydrate was carbonized in a controllable way that leads to a large amount of carbon coating iron nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were employed to characterizing nanomaterials. The growth mechanism of carbon coating iron nanoparticles is briefly discussed in term of composition and structure of precursor.