Synthesis of carbon nanowalls on macroporous nickel foam by atmospheric glow discharge chemical vapour deposition

The preparation of continous three‐dimensional carbon foam composed of a few‐layer graphene film decorated with carbon nanowalls standing perpendicular to its surface is presented. The synthesis is done by the direct‐current PECVD method using nickel foam as a catalyst substrate. Variable curvature of the surface of the Ni foam causes a variation in electric field during the dcPECVD synthesis, which results in forming the foam of hybrid carbon structures. The material was characterized by scanning electron microscope images and by Raman spectra. The effect of plasma penetration depth on growth of carbon nanowalls is also discussed. Macropores and nanopores coexisting in the structure might offer new functionalities particularly for charge storage applications.