| Abstract
| - We report the fabrication of new forms of carbon macrostructures: ultralarge (millimeter-sized) self-assembled carbon rods. The rods are obtained during pyrolysis, under chemical vapor deposition (CVD) conditions at 1300 °C, of a carbon precursor (acetonitrile) in the presence of mesoporous silica particles. The rods grow to a length of up to 5 mm and have a diameter of 100-400 µm. The carbon rods grow via the self-assembly of carbon spheres (of diameter 1-2 µm) that are generated from the acetonitrile under the prevailing CVD conditions. A small amount of silica, which functions as substrate (seed or “glue”), is essential for the formation of the large rods. The carbon spheres self-assemble in a closely packed manner to form compact carbon rods that are self-supporting and mechanically robust after removal of the silica particles. The use of a relatively high CVD temperature imparts graphitic characteristics in the carbon rods. The large rods exhibit both high thermal stability and electrical conductivity.
- Ultralarge millimeter-sized graphitic carbon rods are fabricated on silica substrates, via self-assembly, from carbon spheres. The carbon rods are self-supporting and mechanically robust, and they exhibit high thermal stability and electrical conductivity.
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