Carbon and copper nanostructured materials syntheses by plasma discharge in a supercritical fluid environment

This first report on applications of discharges (or discharge plasma) in a supercritical carbon dioxide environment describes simple generation of nanostructured materials such as carbon nanotubes, nanopolyhedra, and copper nanostructured materials. Carbon nanostructured materials are synthesized by supercritical carbon dioxide also as a raw material. Regarding copper nanostructured materials synthesis, comparison with a gaseous environment indicates one merit of generating discharges in a supercritical carbon dioxide environment with high-dissolving power. Without highly elevated environmental temperature, this process may be combined with merits offered by supercritical fluids.