"Direct evidence for lip-lip interactions in multi-walled carbon nanotu" by Chuanhong Jin, Kazu Suenaga et al.

Article Title

Direct evidence for lip-lip interactions in multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Authors

Chuanhong Jin, Nanotube Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
Kazu Suenaga, Nanotube Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan
Sumio Iijima, Nanotube Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8565, Japan

Keywords

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes, lip lip interaction, in situ transmission electron microscopy

Abstract

The stability of open edged multi-walled carbon nanotubes has been investigated by using in situ high resolution transmission electron microscopy at elevated temperatures. Formation of inter-shell structures was experimentally observed for the first time and attributed to a robust interaction between adjacent concentric shells (so-called lip lip interaction). The fl uctuating behavior of the inter-shell structures suggests a mechanism by which the carbon atoms can pass in or out through the inter-shell edges during carbon nanotube growth or shrinkage processes.