Implementation of an electric field (AC and DC) for the growth of carbon filaments via reaction under autogenic pressure at elevated temperatures of mesitylene without catalyst or solvent

The electric-field-directed growth of carbon filaments by reactions under autogenic pressure at elevated temperatures (RAPET) of mesitylene without a catalyst, a support, or a solvent is demonstrated. The thermal dissociation of mesitylene at 700 degrees C in a closed Swagelok cell under air atmosphere in a zero-applied electric field exhibits no preferred orientation and forms 2.5 +/- 0.05 mu m spherical carbon bodies. In contrast, a one-dimensional growth of carbon filaments is produced with the application of constant direct currents [DC] in the range of 1.5-5 A. The application of an AC [1.5-5 A] current yielded, in addition to the straight filaments, peculiar carbon filaments with sharp edges, zigzag-, dipod-, and tripod-like carbon microstructures, and other morphologies. A plausible mechanism is proposed for the growth of carbon filaments under the implementation of AC or DC electric fields.