Contiguous petal-like carbon nanosheet outgrowths from graphite fibers by plasma CVD.

We report a catalyst-free synthesis of cantilevered carbon nanosheet extensions, or petals, from graphite fibers by microwave plasma CVD. Results reveal that the petals grow from the fiber surface layers while preserving graphitic continuity from fiber to the petals. Subtraction of Raman signatures from pristine and decorated fibers reveals a convolution of two underlying peaks at 2687 and 2727 cm-1 that are consistent with profiles of multilayer graphene flakes between 5 and 25 layers. Such structures offer the possibility of minimizing interfacial losses in transport applications, improved interactions with surrounding matrix materials in composites, and a route toward substrate independence for device applications.