Preliminary studies on formation of carbonaceous products by pulsed spark discharges in liquid hydrocarbons

The nature and amount of the carbonized products, particularly carbon nano-fibers/nano-tubes, etc. formed in liquid hydrocarbons by spark discharges is being reported. The spark discharges between needle and plate electrodes submersed in n-hexadecane and toluene produced carbonaceous products along with gas evolution with an overall energy efficiency of similar to 30 g/kWh. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study revealed closed-end carbon nano-tubes (dia. similar to 300 nm), wool like balls of carbon nano-fibers/nano-tubes (dia. similar to 40 nm), carbon nano-rods (dia. similar to 2500 nm), round particles (dia. 500-1000 nm) fused together forming cauliflower like structure, and folded sheet like structures. About one-fourth portion of the carbonaceous products was found soluble in toluene. UV Spectra of toluene extract of the carbonaceous products are also reported. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.