The Formation of Carbon-Coated MgO Cubes and Carbon Cubes

MgO cubes coated by graphitic carbon are formed in addition to multiwalled carbon nanotubes after reaction of Mo(CO)6 with Mg at 900 °C. The edges of these cubes are 500–600 nm in length and in some cases the MgO inside the cube can be dissolved to leave carbon cubes as the sole product. The Figure shows an area rich with nanocubes in the product after HCl treatment.