Fabrication of single-phase tungsten carbide laminae from multi-walled carbon nanotubes using high direct current pulse

Abstract

Single-phase tungsten carbide (WC) laminae were fabricated by reacting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and tungsten trioxide using high direct current pulses. We confirmed that single-phase WC laminae are transformed from unzipped MWCNTs, and that they have a graphene layer structure. Therefore their thicknesses and widths are almost identical with those of transformed graphene layers from MWCNTs. A variety of characterizing techniques, such as a field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, has been used for the investigation of the characteristics of single-phase WC laminae. ©2010 IEEE.