Synthesis and characterization of spiral carbon nanofibers containing Pd metal cluster by using Pd2(dba)3 as catalyst

The spiral carbon nanofibers consisting of Pd metal cluster were grown by the Pd2(dba)3-catalyzed decomposition of gaseous acetylene on molecular sieves (Linde 13X) support. The phase and composition of the sample was measured with x-ray diffraction (XRD). The microstructure and composition of the spiral carbon nanofibers were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and selective area diffraction (SAD). These Pd metal clusters show a small hysteresis from magnetization (M) vs. magnetic field (H) data and insulating behavior from electrical resistivity measurement. The thermopower (S) data shows metallic behavior from Pd cluster. This is the first report of incorporation of Pd nanoparticles inside carbon nanofibers.