Abstract:

A carbon nanofiber (CNF) covered alumina composite of tri-lobular shape was synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition using Ni as catalyst and ethylene as carbon source. Its morphology and microstructure, textural and mechanical properties, and crystallinity were investigated using N2 physisorption, scanning electron microscopy, particle crushing strength measurement and X-ray diffraction. It was shown that the CNFs grown on the surface of the tri-lobular granule alumina had a high degree of graphitization, and the alumina substrate and the CNF layer were combined into a composite, which had a mesoporous structure and a surface area larger than 187 m2·g-1. The pore volume of the composite was larger than 0.24 cm3·g-1 and more than 85% of the pore volume corresponded to a pore size range between 3 and 10 nm. The side crushing strength of the composite satisfied the requirements for industrial catalyst supports. Therefore, the composite is very promising for industrial application.

Key words: Alumina, Carbon nanofiber, Composite, In-situ growth, Specific surface area, Mechanic property