Here's another treat for our Materials Today readers...the cover image from the journal Carbon, taken from the November 2012 issue.

About the Image: Scanning electron micrograph of catalytically grown carbon microfibers interconnecting neighbouring carbon fibers in carbon cloth, on which carbon nanotubes were grown using Fe catalysts to obtain a hierarchical carbon composite. Pt nanoparticles were deposited on the composite and used as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. The inter-fiber connections improved the conductivity of the composite and reduced the charge transfer resistance, as indicated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The hierarchical composite used as a catalyst support is very promising for electrocatalytic applications.
 

Read more about the above cover image in the following article:

Shankhamala Kundu et al., Carbon 50, Issue 12, October 2012, Pages 4534–4542.

To see more, visit Carbon's homepage or take a look at the current issue here.

Keep your eyes open for more microscopic images coming soon...