Synthesis and applications of carbon nanofibers: a review

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have shown great potential in multiple applications. Their versatility is derived from the possibility of tuning their physical and chemical properties. CNFs can be synthesized using two main methods: the catalytic decomposition of carbon precursors or the electrospinning and carbonization of polymers. The most appropriate method relies on the desired characteristics of the CNFs. Some of their applications include the synthesis of catalysts and catalytic supports, as electrodes for fuel cell devices, in hydrogen storage systems, and in functional nanocomposites. In this review, recent advances in the synthesis and potential applications of CNFs are examined.</jats:p>

Brief overview of electrospun polyacrylonitrile carbon nanofibers: Preparation process with applications and recent trends

“…Two classical examples of electrospun PAN or PAN‐based nanofibers and CNFs are shown in Figures and . Figure shows the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of as‐spun fibers having antimicrobial properties synthesized using the PAN, biomass tar, and silver as the combination precursor, while Figure shows the SEM images of as‐spun nanofibers and corresponding CNFs obtained after carbonization …”

“…A, PAN/Ag; C, 50Tar/PAN/Ag; E, 100Tar/PAN/Ag and CNFs; B, PAN/Ag‐CNF; D, 50Tar/PAN/Ag‐CNF; F, 100Tar/PAN/Ag‐CNF. Reproduced with permission from Ruiz‐Cornejo et al CNF, carbon nanofiber…”

Strategies in Precursors and Post Treatments to Strengthen Carbon Nanofibers

“…Producing carbon fibers with diameters at sub-micrometer scale, namely carbon nanofibers (CNFs), has attracted growing attention, due to the comprehensive properties such as electrical conductivity, chemical resistance, thermal stability, ultra high specific surface area as well as high stiffness. CNFs are defined as cylindrical nanostructures with graphene layers constructed in the shape of cups, cones, or plates, with an average diameter of 70-200 nm and an average length of 50-200 μm [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Different from carbon fibers, which have been particularly used to develop high-performance fiber-reinforced composites in automotive and aerospace industries, CNFs are more used in composite materials [2,[11][12][13], supercapacitors [14][15][16][17], catalyst support [18][19][20], solar cells [21], sensors [22,23], thermoacoustics [24], and so forth, as schematically shown in Fig.…”

“…The first one, namely chemical vapor deposition (CVD), is reminiscent of the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [40]. (Note that CNT can be considered as a particular case of CNF, and is usually discussed separately [9].) Synthesis of CNFs from vapor growth was explored in 1970s and 1980s [1,41].…”

Desarrollo de electrocatalizadores para la reacción de reducción de oxígeno con aplicaciones en almacenamiento de energía

“…Las láminas de carbono se disponen formando un determinado ángulo respecto al eje de las nanofibras, lo que las clasifica en tres tipos (figura 9): a) perpendiculares (platelet), b) inclinadas (fishbone) y c) paralelas (parallel). El tipo de ordenamiento de las láminas de carbono es generado principalmente por el método de síntesis empleado para la obtención de las CNFs 33 . 1.4.1 Propiedades de las nanofibras de carbono (CNFs).…”