Flame synthesis of carbon nanofibres and nanofibre composites containing encapsulated metal particles

We have synthesized carbon nanofibres (CNFs) in an ethylene–air flame on a stainless steel substrate. Ten-minute specimens consisted of both nodules and carbon micro- and nanofibres of various diameters up to . There are two kinds of primary fibres. The first are of  nm thickness and show numerous kinks along their length. The second variety can have thicknesses of the order of and can grow to a length of . Nanofibre branching is also evident. The inclusion of periodic metal deposits in the nanofibres reveals a strategy by which it might be possible to encapsulate metal particles in order to form connected CNF networks.