Synthesis of graphite polyhedral crystals using a combustion flame method

The combustion flame method is a high temperature chemical deposition process which has been extensively used in diamond film synthesis. In the present article, this technique is proposed for the growth of micro-sized graphitic polyhedral crystals. These microstructures possess either a rod-like or a pin-like structure, and exhibit complex axial symmetry including sometimes helicity. Their size can reach up to 3 mum in diameter and 15 mum in length. Raman spectroscopy, scanning (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopies (HR-TEM) have been used to characterize these carbon micro-rods which present a high crystalline perfection at the nanoscale. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.