The Use of Natural Materials in Nanocarbon Synthesis

Graphical Abstract

Precious earth: Many natural materials have been used as catalysts, catalyst supports, and carbon sources in the synthesis of nanocarbons. This Minireview highlights some recent studies and prospects in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The current problems and future challenges are discussed.

Abstract

Nanomaterials are shifting from laboratory-scale preparation to industrial production. The energy costs and starting materials (feedstock, catalyst, and support) consumed or used in the mass production of nanomaterials are issues that limit their broad application. Natural materials, such as sand, rock, and lava, contain small or trace amounts of metals or metal oxides of nanometer-scale sizes and have been recently used as catalysts for the production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), providing an interesting way to lower the production cost of CNTs. However, the sustainability of the whole production process still needs to be explored. Layered minerals (e.g., clays) are used to produce CNT–clay hybrids, which can be further used to synthesize polymer–CNT–clay nanocomposites. Natural materials and some byproducts of industrial production processes have been explored as carbon sources for nanocarbon synthesis. This Minireview highlights some recent promising work and prospects for the use of natural materials in the synthesis of CNTs, carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and nanocomposites, and their applications in catalysis and in materials science.