This article presents the results of investigations of the morphology and structure of carbon deposit formed as a result of ethanol decomposition at 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C without water vapour and with water vapour (0.35 and 1.1% by volume). scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) observations as well as energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopic analyses allowed for a comprehensive characterization of the morphology and structure of cylindrical carbon nanostructures present on the surface of the Ni3Al catalyst. Depending on the reaction mixture composition (i.e., water vapour content) and decomposition temperature, various carbon nanotubes/carbon nanofibres (CNTs/CNFs) were observed: multiwalled carbon nanotubes, herringbone-type multiwall carbon nanotubes, cylindrical carbon nanofibers, platelet carbon nanofibers, and helical carbon nanotubes/nanofibres. The discussed carbon nanostructures exhibited nickel nanoparticles at the ends and in the middle part of the carbon nanostructures as catalytically active centres for efficient ethanol decomposition.
Keywords: CNT/CNF morphology; Ni3Al foils; ethanol decomposition.