Carbon Nanofibers

Carbon nanofibers are sp2-based linear, noncontinuous filaments that are different from continuous, several micrometer diameter carbon fibers. This chapter gives a review on the growth, structural properties and practical applications of carbon nanofibers as compared with those of conventional carbon fibers. Carbon nanofibers could be produced via the catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) as well as the combination of electrospinning of organic polymer and thermal treatment. The commercially available carbon nanofiber around the world is ca. 500 t/y. Carbon nanofibers exhibit high specific area, flexibility, and super strength due to their nanosized diameter that allow them to be used in the electrode materials of energy storage devices, hybrid-type filler in carbon fiber reinforced plastics and bone tissue scaffold. It is envisaged that carbon nanofibers will be key materials of green science and technology through close collaborations with carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes.