Nested interfacial growth of carbon nanotubes catalyzed by hafnium

Carbon nanotubes containing HfC crystals (see Figure) have been synthesized during the dc arc discharge of a Hf‐composite graphite electrode. Clear evidence is presented of the Hf‐catalyzed growth of the nanotubes based on transmission electron microscope images, and the growth mechanism, which is thought to be completely different to that active in the production of vapor‐grown carbon fibers or metal catalyzed nanotubes, is discussed. magnified image