Facile, soot free approach toward synthesis of carbon nanoropes via chemical vapor deposition of acetylene in the presence of MnFe ₂ O ₄ coated on stainless steel

High density, soot free, novel and a facile approach toward synthesis of carbon nanoropes (CNRs) were successfully carried out in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Manganese ferrite (MnFe ₂ O ₄ ) coated on stainless steel foil (SS 316 grade) was used as a catalyst to initiate the growth of CNR. The coated catalyst was introduced into the CVD and the chamber temperature was set at 700 °C later followed with the release of acetylene (50 sccm) and nitrogen (500 sccm) gas, respectively. Total reaction continued until 30 min. No purification or oxidation process of the soot was involved. Analysis reveals the presence of intermingled CNRs with semi crystalline nature of the sample. The elemental analysis confirms the presence of manganese and iron whereas Raman spectrum shows the characteristic narrow G and D bands. The sample displays a super-paramagnetic behavior and is thermally stable up to 500-550 °C presenting a strong exothermic reaction.