Chemical vapor deposition synthesis of carbon nanospheres over Fe-based glassy alloy particles

Highlights: • A mass of carbon nanospheres have been synthesized. • The Fe₇₆Si₉B₁₀P₅ particles were employed as both the catalyst and support. • Carbon nanospheres with amorphous walls have uniform size distribution (50–150 nm). - Abstract: A mass of carbon nanospheres (CNSs) have been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition of C₂H₂ directly over Fe-based glassy alloy particles (Fe₇₆Si₉B₁₀P₅) without the addition of an external catalyst. The morphology and microstructure as well as the growth mechanism of the CNSs have been investigated by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the obtained products consist of hollow CNSs and CNSs with Fe nanoparticles encapsulated. The CNSs with amorphous walls have high purity (>95%) and uniform size distribution (50–150 nm). The possible formation and growth mechanism of the CNSs were discussed on the basis of the investigation on their initial growth stages