1. An Investigation into the Production and Application of Carbon nanofibers By Russell Petrie Supervisor: Professor P J Hall

2. Introduction zCarbon Precursor zFiber Diameter vs. Surface Area zElectrospinning Technique zHeat Treatments zCharacterization zResults zConclusion

3. Carbon Precursor zCoal Tar pitch z55ºC Softening Point zFiltration and Distillation zn-methyl pyrrolidinone solution

4. Fiber Diameter vs. Surface Area

5. Electrospinning Technique z 15 kV Potential Difference z Rapid Diameter Shrinkage z Water Bath V Protective plastic cover Resistor Plastic Syringe Syringe Pump High Voltage Generator Collector Plate Stand Hollow Needle

6. Heat Treatments z350ºC Stabilisation - Sets fiber structure and removes some organic compounds z1100ºC Carbonisation - Removes non- carbon elements including nitrogen z1500ºC Graphitisation - Little weight loss, aligns and improves crystallite structure in carbon fiber

7. Characterisation zSoftening Point Test zWeight Loss zBET surface area zSANS (Small Angle Neutron Scattering) zMicroscopy

8. Results zThe softening point is determined when the viscosity starts to rise sharply, this is usually in the region of 3500- 4000 Pa.s Softening Point Test

9. Weight Loss z350ºC Stabilisation - 26% weight loss z350ºC - 1100ºC Carbonisation - 79% loss z350ºC - 1500ºC Graphitisation - 70% loss

10. BET zN 2 Adsorption at 77K zType II Isotherm zHysteresis zSurface Area - 266m 2 /g

11. SANS zData corrected for background and sample holder scattering zContrast matched using deutrerated toluene zData suggests non-porous structure

12. Microscopy z50x Magnification  Fig 1. Melt spun carbon fiber, 40  m diameter zFig 2. Fiber spun on glass slide zFig 3. Fiber spun onto water zFig 4. Stabilised fiber Fig 2Fig 1 Fig 3Fig 4

13. Conclusions zNovel technique to produce carbon nanofibers zProduces high surface area carbons without porous structure zPotential use in the fuel cell field as catalyst supports