Implementation of an Electric Field (AC and DC) for the Growth of Carbon Filaments via Reaction under Autogenic Pressure at Elevated Temperatures of Mesitylene without Catalyst or Solvent

The electric-field-directed growth of carbon filaments by reactions under autogenic pressure at elevated temperatures (RAPET) of mesitylene without a catalyst, a support, or a solvent is demonstrated. The thermal dissociation of mesitylene at 700 °C in a closed Swagelok cell under air atmosphere in a zero-applied electric field exhibits no preferred orientation and forms 2.5 ± 0.05 μm spherical carbon bodies. In contrast, a one-dimensional growth of carbon filaments is produced with the application of constant direct currents [DC] in the range of 1.5−5 A. The application of an AC [1.5−5 A] current yielded, in addition to the straight filaments, peculiar carbon filaments with sharp edges, zigzag-, dipod-, and tripod-like carbon microstructures, and other morphologies. A plausible mechanism is proposed for the growth of carbon filaments under the implementation of AC or DC electric fields.