CVD-Engineered Nano Carbon Architectures: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Outlook

Hasan, Maria; Abrahamczyk, Szymon; Awan, Aashir; Sakreida, Ondřej; Bachmatiuk, Alicja; Simha Martynková, Gražyna; Čech Barabaszová, Karla; Rümmeli, Mark Hermann

doi:10.3390/nano15231834

CVD-Engineered Nano Carbon Architectures: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Outlook

Hasan, Maria; Abrahamczyk, Szymon; Awan, Aashir; Sakreida, Ondřej; Bachmatiuk, Alicja; Simha Martynková, Gražyna; Čech Barabaszová, Karla; Rümmeli, Mark Hermann

Publisher: Zenodo
DOI: 10.3390/nano15231834
Repository: zenodo.org
Language: en

Abstract

OPEN PAPER & FAIR DATA Abstract: Graphitic nanomaterials have emerged as foundational components in nanoscience owing to their exceptional electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties, which can be tuned by controlling dimensionality and structural order. From zero-dimensional (0D) quantum dots, carbon nano-onions, and nanodiamonds to one dimensional (1D) nanoribbon, two-dimensional (2D) nanowalls, and three-dimensional (3D) graphene foams, these architectures underpin advancements in catalysis, energy storage, sensing, and electronic technologies. Among various synthesis routes, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) provides unmatched versatility, enabling atomic level control over carbon supply, substrate interactions, and plasma activation to produce well defined graphitic structures directly on functional supports. This review presents a comprehensive, dimension resolved overview of CVD derived graphitic nanomaterials, examining how process parameters such as precursor chemistry, temperature, hydrogen etching, and template design govern nucleation, crystallinity, and morphological evolution across 0D to 3D hierarchies. Comparative analyses of Raman, XPS, and XRD data are integrated to relate structural features with growth mechanisms and functional performance. By connecting mechanistic principles across dimensional scales, this review establishes a unified framework for understanding and optimizing CVD synthesis of graphitic nanostructures. It concludes by outlining a path forward for improving how CVD-grown carbon nanomaterials are made, monitored, and integrated into real devices so these can move from lab-scale experiments to practical, scalable technologies. Funding: The National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52071225) and the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the grant agreement No. 101087143 (Electron Beam Emergent Additive Manufacturing (EBEAM)). Project number CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000048 “REFRESH-Research Excellence For REgion Sustainability and High-tech Industries” via the Operational Programme Just Transition and CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000045 “Circular economy R&D Centre—CirkArena and The Operational Programme Just Transition”.

Full text

Table 1. Overview of CVD-generated hollow and core–shell carbon nanostructures. Catalyst or Template Type Carbon Source (Feedstock) Temperature (°C) Morphology / Product Mechanistic Highlights Ref. Ni/Al₂O₃ (reduced NiO) CH₄ + H₂ 600 Hollow CNOs (~50 nm) Carbon dissolutionprecipitation; Kirkendall voiding [63] Co on MgO (1-10 wt%) C₂H₄ + Ar 700 Hollow onions (10-50 nm, 99% purity) Co decomposes C₂H₄; MgO prevents sintering [62] MgO, Al₂O₃, TiO₂ C₂H₅OH 700-800 Few-layer graphene shells (3-7 layers) Oxide templating; surface oxygen enables functionalization [64] MgO nanospheres CH₄ + H₂ 800 Hollow graphitic spheres MgO-templated graphitization; durable electrodes [66] SiO₂ or Au@SiO₂ CH₄ 700-900 Hollow or coreshell spheres Geometric templating via SiO₂; HF removal [67] SiO₂/AAO templates Polyphenol vapor 500-950 (ramp) Hollow carbons (porous) Non-isothermal CVD; shell thickness control [68] SiO₂ nanoparticles CH₄ 1000 SiC/graphene core–shell Partial SiO₂ → SiC; oxidecarbide transition [69] Si nanoparticles + vertical graphene CVD carbon + H₂ 700-800 core-shell Si-C Vertically aligned graphene improves conductivity [70] SiO₂ template + CVD carbon C₂H₂ 750 core-shell Si-C composite Controlled voids buffer Si expansion [71] Metal-free (selftemplate) CVD carbon precursor 700 Al-doped hollow cages Atomic Al doping tunes Li⁺ intercalation [72] Dolomite template CVD + Triphenylphosphine 700 P-doped hollow spheres P creates electron-rich redox sites [73] Dolomite + Nsource CVD + NH₃ 750 N-doped hollow carbons Multiscale porosity; improved ion transport [74]