Thin Films of Carbon Nanocapsules and Onion-Like Graphitic Particles Prepared by the Cosputtering Method

A method for fabricating thin films of carbon nanocapsules and onion-like graphitic particles was reported. The method consists of cosputtering Ni and graphite, and subsequent thermal annealing in vacuum. Transmission electron microscopic and Raman studies revealed that the films were composed of Ni-filled carbon nanocapsules with graphitic coatings several nanometers in thickness. Ni particles were removed by acid etching, resulting in the formation of thin films composed of onion-like graphitic particles. Electron field emission properties of the onion-like graphitic-particle films were studied.