Amorphous graphene

The conversion of acetylene on an iron catalyst on Si02-support is a typical example. In this process, acetylene is thermally decomposed by leading it over a bed of catalyst within a quartz tube heated at about 700 °C (500-1000 °C, generally). Apart from the desired MWNT, there are also larger, fibrous structures and layers of amorphous graphene observed. These tend to coat the catalyst particles. The bamboo-like nanotubes (Section 3.3.4) usually obtained from this method are often covered with amorphous carbon too and, in parts, they are considerably curved. In addition to these bent species, there is also a spiral or helical structure... 

A. Kumar, M. Wilson, M.F. Thorpe. Amorphous graphene a realization of Zachariasen s glass. J. Phys. Condens. Matter 24,485003 (2012)... 

MWCNT synthesized by catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbon does not contain nanoparticle nor amorphous carbon and hence this method is suitable for mass production. The shape of MWCNT thus produced, however, is not straight more often than that synthesized by arc-discharge method. This differenee could be aseribed to the strueture without pentagons nor heptagons in graphene sheet of the MWCNT synthesized by the catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbon, which would affect its electric conductivity and electron emission. 

When the electrolyte solutions are not too reactive, as in the case of ethereal solutions, there is no massive formation of protective surface films at potentials above Li intercalation potential, and most of the solvent reduction processes may occur at potentials lower than 0.3 V vs. Li/Li+. Hence, the passivation of the electrodes is not sufficient to prevent cointercalation of solvent molecules. This leads to an exfoliation of the graphite particles into amorphous dust (expholiated graphene planes). This scenario is demonstrated in Figure 2a as the reduction of the 002 diffraction peak21 of the graphite electrode, polarized cathodically in an ethereal solution. 

J. Kotakoski, A. V. Krasheninnikov, U. Kaiser, J. C. Meyer, From point defects in graphene to two-dimensionai amorphous carbon, Phys. Rev. Lett., voi. 106, p. 105505, 2011. 

The major drawbacks to standard sol-gel synthesis include slow growth rate and the typically amorphous product, rather than defined crystals, which requires crystallization and post annealing steps. Growth rate and crystallization of the fabricated hybrid can be improved via solvothermal, reflux [224], sonication, and microwave [225] treatment. However, the air oxidation of CNTs (600 °C) and graphene (450 °C) may still be lower than MO crystallization temperature. Moreover, it has been shown that the MO coatings on CNTs can drastically affect their thermal oxidation, particularly with easily reducible metal oxides (e.g. TiOz = 520 °C, Bi203 = 330 °C) [180]. It appears that metal oxides can catalyze the oxidation of CNTs via a Mars van Krevelen mechanism, limiting the maximum temperature of their synthesis as well as applications (i.e. catalysis, fuel cells). 

Yang HB, Guo CX, Guai GH, Song QL, Jiang SP, Li CM. Reduction of charge recombination by an amorphous titanium oxide interlayer in layered graphene/quantum dots photochemical cells, ACSAppl. Mater. Interfaces 2011, 3,1940-1945. 

Carbon nanotubes, as graphene and graphite, are highly ordered carbon phases. However, a separate line can be drawn for historical development of disordered carbon phases among them is an amorphous carbon (am-C). In it, strong bonding between carbons did not allow for completely chaotic distribution of carbon atoms in solid-state phase. Instead, amorphous carbon exhibits random distribution of three possible coordinations of carbon atoms in a planar sp, tetrahedral sp and... 

Unfortunately, TMP was found to be cathodically unstable on a graphitic anode surface, where, in a manner very similar to PC, it cointercalated into the graphene structure at 1.20 V and then decomposed to exfoliate the latter, although its anodic stability did not seem to be a problem. Eor this reason, TMP has to be used in amounts less than 10% with EC and other carbonates in high concentration in order to achieve decent performance in lithium ion cells. However, capacity fading caused by the increase of cell impedance cast doubt on the application of this flame retardant in a lithium ion cell. To avoid the poor cathodic stability of TMP on graphitic anodes, the possibility of using it with other amorphous carbon electrodes was also explored by the authors. ... 

Li X, Li C, Zhu H et al (2010) Hybrid thin films of graphene nanowhiskers and amorphous carbon as transparent conductors. Chem Commun 46 3502-3504... 

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