Catalyst-free-CNx-Nanorods2011

We found that nitrogen incorporation can induce the formation of vertically-aligned hydro-
genated carbon nanorods without the use of catalysts. These nitrogen incorporated hydro-
genated carbon nanorods (CNx:H) were synthesized by radio-frequency plasma-enhanced

chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD). We have evaluated the structural and chemical evolu-
tion of these CNx:H films as a function of the deposition duration by using high-resolution

scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy

(HRTEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Auger electron spectroscopy.

Results indicate that the incorporation of nitrogen is responsible to the formation of these

nanorods. The alignment of the nanorods is enhanced at longer deposition period and is

correlated to the increase in nitrogen contents and isonitrile bonds [–N„C] in the nano-
rods. The growth mechanism of this catalyst-free formation of nitrogen incorporated car-
bon nanorods is proposed.