Controlled growth-reversal of catalytic carbon nanotubes under electron-beam irradiation

Nano Lett. 2006 Sep;6(9):1837-41. doi: 10.1021/nl060709p.

Abstract

The growth of carbon nanotubes from Ni catalysts is reversed and observed in real time in a transmission electron microscope, at room temperature. The Ni catalyst is found to be Ni3C and remains attached to the nanotube throughout the irradiation sequence, indicating that C most likely diffuses on the surface of the catalyst to form nanotubes. We calculate the energy barrier for saturating the Ni3C (2-13) surface with C to be 0.14 eV, thus providing a low-energy surface for the formation of graphene planes.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis / radiation effects
  • Computer Simulation
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Electrons*
  • Materials Testing
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / radiation effects
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure*
  • Particle Size
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Surface Properties / radiation effects

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon