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.