Resonant Excitation of Precursor Molecules in Improving the Particle Crystallinity, Growth Rate and Optical Limiting Performance of Carbon Nano-Onions

Editor(s)

Reed, Mark

Abstract

A catalyst-free and highly efficient synthetic method for growing carbon nano-onions (CNOs) in open air has been developed through the laser resonant excitation of a precursor molecule, ethylene, in a combustion process. Highly concentric CNO particles with improved crystallinity were obtained at a laser wavelength of 10.532 µm through the resonant excitation of the CH₂ wagging mode of the ethylene molecules. A higher growth rate up to 2.1 g hˉ¹ was obtained, compared with that without a laser (1.3 g hˉ¹). Formation of the CNOs with ordered graphitic shells is ascribed to the decomposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into C₂ species. The optical limiting performances of the CNOs grown by the combustion processes were investigated. CNOs grown at 10.532 µm laser excitation demonstrated improved optical limiting properties due to the improved crystallinity.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0957-4484

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2011 Institute of Physics - IOP Publishing, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2011

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