Glass fiber supports modified by layers of silica and carbon nanofibers

Abstract The new multi-layered composite was manufactured by deposition of the carbon nanofibers (CNF) at the surface of the glass-fiber fabric, which is pre-modified by application of additional external layers of NiO and porous silica. Carbonization of synthesized catalytic template was performed at 450 °C in propanebutane media at ambient pressure. CNF was deposited in amount of ~130% of initial template mass or 65 g per g of nickel, the specific surface area of the material is ~100 m2/g. The synthesized material has high mechanical strength, high hydrophobicity and strong bonding between CNF and glass-fiber support. The synthesis method is technologically simple, inexpensive and easily scalable. It is possible to manufacture such material in various solid shapes, using the flexibility of the primary glass-fiber support; in particular, it may be used for production of the mechanically self-sustainable catalytic cartridges with required shape and internal geometry using no additional structuring elements.