Cobalt-catalysed growth of carbon nanotubes with single-atomic-layer walls
Abstract
CARBON exhibits a unique ability to form a wide range of structures. In an inert atmosphere it condenses to form hollow, spheroidal fullerenes. Carbon deposited on the hot tip of the cathode of the arc-discharge apparatus used for bulk fullerene synthesis will form nested graphitic tubes and polyhedral particles. Electron irradiation of these nanotubes and polyhedra transforms them into nearly spherical carbon 'onions'. We now report that covaporizing carbon and cobalt in an arc generator leads to the formation of carbon nanotubes which all have very small diameters (about 1.2 nm) and walls only a single atomic layer thick. The tubes form a web-like deposit woven through the fullerene-containing soot, giving it a rubbery texture. The uniformity and single-layer structure of these nanotubes should make it possible to test their properties against theoretical predictions.
Additional Information
© 1993 Nature Publishing Group. Received 24 May; accepted 3 June 1993. We thank W. A. Goddard III, R. D. Johnson. C. S. Yannoni, C. T. Rettner and J. R. Salem for discussions. C. H. K. acknowledges partial support by the NSF and the Materials and Molecular Simulation Center (supported by DOE-AICD, Allied-Signal, BP America, Asahi Chemical, Asahi Glass, Chevron, B. F. Goodrich and Xerox).Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 58145
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20150610-080405389
- NSF
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- Allied Signal
- BP America
- Asahi Chemical
- Asahi Glass
- Chevron
- B.F. Goodrich
- Xerox
- Created
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2015-06-10Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field