0000000000003046
AUTHOR
Mauricio Terrones
In situ nucleation of carbon nanotubes by the injection of carbon atoms into metal particles.
The synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of desired chiralities and diameters is one of the most important challenges in nanotube science and achieving such selectivity may require a detailed understanding of their growth mechanism. We report the formation of CNTs in an entirely condensed phase process that allows us, for the first time, to monitor the nucleation of a nanotube on the spherical surface of a metal particle. When multiwalled CNTs containing metal particle cores are irradiated with an electron beam, carbon from graphitic shells surrounding the metal particles is ingested into the body of the particle and subsequently emerges as single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) or multiwalled nan…
Angstrom-Size Defect Creation and Ionic Transport through Pores in Single-Layer MoS2
Atomic-defect engineering in thin membranes provides opportunities for ionic and molecular filtration and analysis. While molecular-dynamics (MD) calculations have been used to model conductance through atomic vacancies, corresponding experiments are lacking. We create sub-nanometer vacancies in suspended single-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) via Ga+ ion irradiation, producing membranes containing ∼300 to 1200 pores with average and maximum diameters of ∼0.5 and ∼1 nm, respectively. Vacancies exhibit missing Mo and S atoms, as shown by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC-STEM). The longitudinal acoustic band and defect-related photoluminescence were observe…
Ion irradiation of carbon nanotubes encapsulating cobalt crystals
Abstract The response of multi-walled carbon nanotubes encapsulating Co nanorods to ion irradiation was studied. The irradiation experiments with medium ion energies (40–500 keV) were carried out at high temperatures and combined with transmission electron microscopy and Raman characterization of the irradiated samples. Contrary to electron irradiation and high-energy (100 MeV) ion irradiation, we did not see accumulation of pressure inside irradiated nanotubes. We found that nanotubes with Co nanorods inside were transformed to amorphous carbon rods encapsulating Co clusters with typical diameters of 3–6 nm. As Co is magnetic, such one-dimensional composite systems could be used for variou…
Carbon nanotubes as high-pressure cylinders and nanoextruders.
Closed-shell carbon nanostructures, such as carbon onions, have been shown to act as self-contracting high-pressure cells under electron irradiation. We report that controlled irradiation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes can cause large pressure buildup within the nanotube cores that can plastically deform, extrude, and break solid materials that are encapsulated inside the core. We further showed by atomistic simulations that the internal pressure inside nanotubes can reach values higher than 40 gigapascals. Nanotubes can thus be used as robust nanoscale jigs for extruding and deforming hard nanomaterials and for modifying their properties, as well as templates for the study of individual n…
Synthesis of SWCNT Rings Made by Two Y Junctions and Possible Applications in Electron Interferometry
(Ga,In)P nanowires grown without intentional catalyst
Abstract We have grown (Ga,In)P nanowires through the MOCVD method without a intentional catalyst. The organometallic precursor triethylgallium ( ( C 2 H 5 ) 3 Ga ) , used as Ga source, is transported by the N 2 gas carrier to the reactor chamber where reacts with the InP vapor pressure producing the nanowires. Two different reactor pressures (70 and 740 Torr) were used leading to nanowires with different In contents. The nanowires are straight or wool-like and exhibit a twinned structure. They emit an intense orange to red color visible even to the naked eyes. Interface tunneling process at Ga 1 − x In x P / Ga 1 − y In y P interfaces ( x ≠ y ) is proposed to explain this efficient light e…