Nanocarbon structures formed in a universal plasma reactor

The results of an instrumental study of a deposit formed on the electrodes of an arc plasma torch with propane-butane mixture feeding into the interelectrode gap are presented. The optical, electron, and Raman microscopy techniques have been used in the study. According to Raman spectra, the cathode deposit contains various forms of nanocarbon. It has been found that maleic anhydride is synthesized and covalently grafted to nanographite in the absence of a specialty catalyst during plasma torch operation. Having a large specific surface area, the nanocarbon itself acts as a heterogeneous catalyst in this case. It has been shown that an arc plasma torch of this design with a hydrocarbon feed gas can be considered a mini-reactor for synthesis of different forms of nanocarbon, its surface modification, and alteration of physicochemical properties.