While Carl was working at the Exxon Corporate Research Science Labs, one of the projects he worked on was a study of the catalytic growth of carbon filaments. When metal surfaces, such as the surface of the tubes used in ethylene steam cracking reactors, are exposed to gases with a high carbon activity, catalytic carbon filaments can be formed. This can lead to both catastrophic fouling of the tubes and corrosion of the metal. Terry Baker had been working on this problem for some time when Carl joined the project. The studies were performed using a controlled atmosphere transmission electron microscope where samples could be observed as the filaments formed and grew. The focus of the work was to learn how the composition of the catalyst affected the mode of filament growth, their morphology, and the rate of growth.

“Further Studies of the Formation of Filamentous Carbon from the Interaction of Supported Iron Particles with Acetylene,” R. T. K. Baker, J. J. Chludzinski, Jr. and C. R. F. Lund, Carbon 25, 295 (1987). [more info]

“Kinetic Studies of Iron-Catalyzed Carbon Deposition,” Union Carbide Parma Technical Center, Parma, Ohio, June 20, 1988.

“Growth of Carbon Filaments Using Iron Catalysts,” Hyperion Catalysis International, Lexington, Mass, Nov. 4, 1987.

“Carbon Filament Growth,” Carbon Science and Technology Short Course, SUNY-Buffalo, April, 1987.