Synthesis, characterization and growth mechanism of carbon nanopears

Abstract We report a novel carbon morphology that we name “carbon nanopears” using chemical vapor deposition in the presence of silicon wafer as a substrate coating Ni catalyst, thiophene as the growth promoter and benzene as carbon source. The carbon nanopears observed under optimized experimental conditions have nanometer-sized sharp tips, nanometer-sized roots and solid interiors. The carbon nanopears are composed of graphitized carbon and amorphous carbon, with continuous shortening of the length of graphitic sheets from the exterior to interior making them pear-shaped. Furthermore, a probable CNP formation mechanism is proposed in this paper.