In situ preparation of nickel/carbon core–shell structure by chemical vapor deposition

Nickel/carbon core–shell structure with uniform diameter has been synthesized by galvanostatic electrodeposition nickel on its surface followed by chemical vapor deposition. We proposed the growth mechanism of the core–shell structure that the precipitation of carbon from metal catalysts during the high temperature growth period lifts up metal particles leading to the formation of core–shell structure or carbon nanotubes with respect to the diameter of catalyst particles. The substrate with deposited nickel was characterized by optical microscope. The elements and features of the substrate were studied by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction respectively. The morphology of the resulting material was examined by field emitting scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the electrochemical performance of the core–shell structure modified electrodes was also investigated. The result shows that electrodes modified with core structure have better electrochemical property than the bare electrodes in the [Fe(CN)6]3−/[Fe(CN)6]4− solution at a scan rate of 20 mV s−1.