Cyclic Hydrocarbon Decomposition to Carbon Nanoparticles via Spark Discharge

A method is proposed for decomposition of cyclic hydrocarbons using spark energy for this purpose. The electrical discharge is between electrodes separated at 0.5 mm one from another. An 8,000 V transformer is employed as spark source operating by 50 Hz. Hydrocarbons are mixed with water in the proportion Ill and the process is carried out in an ultrasonic tank with the aim to reduce deposition on the electrode surfaces. Graphenes, nanohorns, carbon bands, and carbon cones of different spatial angle and carbon nanobeams have been obtained. The catalyst (Fe in the considered case) influence has been studied through adding ferrocene to the hydrocarbon-water mixture (proportion 1/1/0.2 wt%) during synthesis. The presence of Fe stimulates particle growth but does not change particle type. The synthesized nanohorns and spheres show tendency to order in parallel one to another due to the high electrical field between the spark discharges. The carbon beams are in agglomerates with a direction almost radial to the agglomerate centre.