Catalytic graphitization behavior of phenolic resins by addition of in situ formed nano-Fe particles

• Published in: Physica. E, Low-dimensional systems & nanostructures Low-dimensional systems & nanostructures, 2018-07, Vol.101, p.50-61
• Main Authors: Rastegar, H., Bavand-vandchali, M., Nemati, A., Golestani-Fard, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs); Catalytic graphitization; Nano-Fe; Phenolic resin
• ISSN: 1386-9477; 1873-1759
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physe.2018.03.013

This work presents the catalytic graphitization process of phenolic resins (PR's) by addition of in situ nano-Fe particles as catalyst. Pyrolysis treatments of prepared compositions including various contents of nano-Fe particles were carried out at 600–1200 °C for 3 h under reducing atmosphere and graphitization process were evaluated by different techniques such as X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA) and Raman spectroscopy that mainly performed to identify the phase and microstructural analysis, oxidation resistance and extend of graphitized carbon formation. Results indicate that, in situ graphitic carbon development were already observed after firing the samples at 800 °C for 3 h under reducing atmosphere, increasing temperature and amount of nano-Fe led to a more effective graphitization level. In addition, the different nano crystalline carbon shapes such as onion and bamboo like and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were in situ identified during graphitization process of nano-Fe containing samples. It was suggested that formation of these different nano carbon structures related to nano-Fe catalyst behavior and the carbon shell growth. [Display omitted] •Catalytically effect of in-situ Nano-Fe particles formation on graphitization process of phenolic resin has been well illustrated.•Nano-Fe catalyst have a positive effect to formation of different nano-shapes of carbon such as CNTs, bamboo and onion like morphologies.•Catalytically modification causes to decrease graphitization temperature in phenolic resins.•Oxidation resistance of catalytically modified phenolic resins showed significant improvement.•The mechanism of different crystalline carbon phases morphologies is generally follow from vapor-solid (V-S) or vapor-liquid-solid (V-L-S) reactions and solid-liquid-solid (S-L-S) model can also considered for graphitization process.