To enhance the gas adsorption properties and modify the physical properties of carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were irradiated by high-energy proton beams, and the physical properties including morphology and local surface structure were investigated by using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), magnetic force microscope (MFM) and a gas adsorption isotherm apparatus which can deeply probe the fine structure of surface. Interestingly, clearer MFM images were obtained from the proton irradiated samples which supports that carbon exhibits magnetism under proton bombardments, although the intrinsic magnetic property is not understood. The layering properties of argon on MWCNTs were measured from 59 to 69 K and the interaction of argon on the surface was analyzed. The calculated values of isosteric heat of adsorption demonstrated that higher interaction of gas molecules with surface is found from the proton irradiated MWCNTs. This result strongly supports that the local surface modification, partial defects, for example, were created due to the external high energy impacts. Our results are worthy to note that gas adsorption technique can provide the fine atomic resolution which beyond the one of TEM and MFM.