Synthesis of the chain-shaped carbon fibers decorated with SiO x beads by chemical vapor deposition

Chain-shaped carbon fibers decorated with SiO x beads had been synthesized by using methyltriehlorosilane and normal carbon fibers as the raw materials, during which the chemical vapor deposition technique was applied. The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The as-received products show chain-shaped morphologies that have the normal carbon fibers as “strings” and possess regular SiO x beads of 30–40 μm with relative smooth surface. The formation of the chain-shaped morphology is considered to involve the shrinkage of the absorbed silica layer and the possible growth mechanism is further proposed. It is thought that the chain-shaped carbon fibers are formed by two main stages.