Effect of Carbon Nanotube Admixture on Anthracene Coking

Abstract

The anthracene coking process has been investigated in the temperature range of 400–600°C. It has been shown that intermolecular interaction of two anthracene molecules resulting in the elimination of hydrogen and the formation of a C–C bond between the middle rings begins at a temperature of 450°C. Increasing the coking temperature to 500–600°C leads to the formation of poorly crystallized graphite. In the case of pure anthracene, the formation of micron-sized spherical carbon particles occurs. The addition of carbon nanotubes to anthracene leads to the formation of the carbon “coat” covering their surface. The thickness of the carbon “coat” depends on the temperature of coking. An amorphous carbon layer observed on the surface of carbon nanotubes has a thickness of 1–2 nm in the case of coking temperature of 450°C or 10–15 nm in the case of coking at 600°C.