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The fabrication of conical nanocarbon structures (CNCSs) on a transparent and flexible nafion substrate at room temperature using an ion irradiation technique and their application toward field emission displays (FEDs) have been demonstrated. The main advantage of this technique is that CNCSs can be fabricated directly on the transparent substrate while retaining the transparency of the substrate. A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image revealed that the sputtered surface was entirely covered with CNCSs with a calculated numerical density of 6 x 10(6) /mm(2). Such nafion based CNCSs have proved to be an effective electron emitter with turn-on and threshold fields of 6.1 and 9.5 V/mum, respectively. The field enhancement factor was estimated to be 1020 from the Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) plot. Thus the room temperature fabricated CNCSs based on transparent and flexible nafion substrate would be very promising for future flexible (roll-up) and transparent FEDs.

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A comprehensive review analysing the recent development in growth control enhancement of carbon nanotube synthesis in flame environment.

In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of single Fe-included carbon nanofibers (CNFs) revealed that the fine polycrystalline structure in the shank region of CNFs transformed to graphitic, hollow structures during a field emission (FE) process. The iron metal platelets agglomerated during the FE process and perceptibly were emitted from the shank, which featured bamboo-like carbon nanotube (CNT) structures. The structural evolution also improved the electrical properties, and the FE current was remarkably increased, that is, 1000 times higher than the initial value (from 10(-9) to 10(-6) A). The structural transformations were effectuated by Joule heating that generated simultaneously during the FE process. The in situ TEM study of room-temperature-synthesized CNFs could provide essential information regarding CNFs' structural transformation for their possible application in future electron emitter sources.

Microwave plasma-induced graphene-sheet fibers from waste coffee grounds showed potential applications for electrochemical conversion and storage with excellent performance.

Graphene-based coating is an emerging field that focuses on developing advanced coatings by exploiting new generation materials with superior properties. Researchers are striving to develop coatings that are cost-effective, easy to prepare and highly effective by integrating graphene with a wide range of suitable materials for surface protection applications. In this critical review, different types of high performing graphene-based polymer composite coatings have been described for anticorrosion application. An in-depth survey on methods of preparation, coating application techniques and their influence on the corrosion behavior of coatings is presented briefly. Newly developed strategies to enhance the protection efficiency of graphene-polymer matrix coatings are also covered concisely. The authors hope that this review will assist prospective academicians and researchers in developing novel highly efficient graphene-based anticorrosion composite coatings for industrial applications.

Phone/Fax: þ81 52 735 5379We have demonstrated the fabrication of Si-and Geincorporated carbon nanofibers (CNFs) at room temperature. Graphite foil surfaces were irradiated by Ar þ and Ne þ ions with simultaneous Si and Ge supply, and the dependences of the ion-induced composite CNFs surface morphology on the ion species and type of incorporated materials were investigated. The sample surfaces were characterized by various kinds of densely distributed nanostructures, such as conical protrusions, nanoneedles, nanocones, and CNF-tipped cones, depending on the Si and Ge supply rates during ion irradiation. In addition, Ne þ irradiation yielded longer CNFs compared to Ar þ -irradiated CNFs. Thus, the nanostructures growth was controllable by adjusting the ion and material species.Surface morphology of ion-induced Ge-incorporated CNFs.