Efficient access to bamboo-like carbon micro and nanofibres by pyrolysis of zinc cyanamide

Multiwalled carbon tubes (containing similar to4% nitrogen) of 10 similar to 200 nm in diameter were produced by pyrolysis of zinc cyanamide at 1120 degreesC in a flow of Argon. High resolution transmission electron microscopy shows unusual bamboo-like morphologies. High-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy of the individual fibers reveals a 4% nitrogen content with ionization energies mainly at 401 eV, corresponding to N bonded to three C atoms within a hexagonal framework, and a sp(2) hybridization of carbon. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ah rights reserved.