Buckytubes and derivatives: Their growth and implications for buckyball formation

Journal Article · Fri Mar 12 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.259.5101.1601· OSTI ID:6443817

Dravid, V P; Lin, X; Wang, Y; Wang, X K; Yee, A; Ketterson, J B; Chang, R P.H. ^[1]

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1. Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States)

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of graphite tubules (buckytubes) and their derivatives have revealed not only the previously reported buckytube geometries but also additional shapes of the buckytube derivatives. Detailed cross-sectional TEM images reveal the cylindrical cross section of buckytubes and the growth pattern of buckytubes as well as their derivatives. These observations of frozen growth stages of buckytubes and derivatives suggest a helical growth mechanism analogous to that of crystal growth via screw dislocations. The helicacy of buckytubes is analyzed by electron diffraction whereas the anisotropy of electronic structure is revealed by momentum transfer resolved electron energy loss spectrometry. Based on the TEM observations, it is proposed that buckytubes act as precursors to closed-shell fullerene (buckyball) formation and the possible steps in buckyball formation are outlined. In arc evaporation experiments in which residue rods (containing various amounts of buckytubes) were used as the starting anode for fullerene production, the amount of buckytubes in the rod was correlated with fullerene yield. 13 refs., 4 figs.

• OSTI ID: 6443817
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 259:5101; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
ANISOTROPY
BODY
CARBON
COHERENT SCATTERING
CRYSTAL DEFECTS
CRYSTAL GROWTH
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DIFFRACTION
DISLOCATIONS
ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY-LOSS SPECTROSCOPY
FULLERENES
GRAPHITE
KIDNEYS
LINE DEFECTS
MICROSCOPY
MINERALS
NONMETALS
ORGANS
SCATTERING
SCREW DISLOCATIONS
SPECTROSCOPY
SYNTHESIS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
TUBULES