Carbon Nanotubes on Carbon Nanofibers: A Novel Structure Based on Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers

Electrospun nanofibers of polyacrylonitrile , containing an iron compound, have been converted to carbon nanofibers, with iron particles on their surfaces. The iron particles catalyze the growth of carbon nanotubes with iron tips (see Figure). A mechanically strong and electrically conducting path exists between each metal particle and the supporting nanofiber network, which extends to macroscopic dimensions.