In Situ Formation of Carbon Nanotubes Encapsulated within Boron Nitride Nanotubes via Electron Irradiation
We report experimental evidence of the formation by in situ electron-irradiation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (C NT) confined within boron nitride nanotubes (BN-NT). The electron radiation stemming from the microscope supplies the energy required by the amorphous carbonaceous structures to crystallize in a tubular form in a catalyst free procedure, at room temperature and high vacuum. The structural defects resulting from the interaction of the shapeless carbon with the BN nanotube are corrected in a self-healing process throughout the crystallinization. Structural changes developed during the irradiation process such as defects formation and evolution, shrinkage, and shortness of the BN-NT were in situ monitored. The outer BN wall provides a protective and insulating shell against environmental Perturbations to the inner C-NT without affecting their electronic properties, as demonstrated by first principles calculations.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 1364436
- Journal Information:
- ACS Nano, Vol. 8, Issue 8; ISSN 1936-0851
- Publisher:
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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