Electrolytic conversion of graphite to carbon nanotubes in fused salts

Carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles have been electrolytically prepared from normal graphite in molten alkali chlorides, namely LiCl, NaCl and KCl. Visual observations show that the carbon consumption for nanotube formation occurs at the graphite cathode where alkali metals form during the electrolysis. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have shown similar features between these electrolytic carbon nanotubes and those prepared by other methods. In addition, it has been noticed that temperature and the nature of the salts play important roles in determining the quantity and quality of the graphite-nanotube conversion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.