Article Title

Enhanced π-π interactions between a C₆₀ fullerene and a buckle bend on a double-walled carbon nanotube

Authors

Sandeep Gorantla, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Stanislav Avdoshenko, Institute for Materials Science and Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden 01062, Germany
Felix Brrnert, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Alicja Bachmatiuk, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Maria Dimitrakopoulou, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Franziska Schffel, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Ronny Schnfelder, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Jürgen Thomas, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Thomas Gemming, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Jamie H. Warner, Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks Rd., Oxford OX1 3PH, United Kingdom
Gianaurelio Cuniberti, Institute for Materials Science and Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden 01062, Germany
Jürgen Eckert, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Bernd Büchner, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany
Mark H. Rümmeli, IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden, Germany

Keywords

Carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, low-voltage transmission electron microscopy, molecule trap

Abstract

In situ low-voltage aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of the dynamic entrapment of a C60 molecule in the saddle of a bent double-walled carbon nanotube is presented. The fullerene interaction is non-covalent, suggesting that enhanced π–π interactions (van der Waals forces) are responsible. Classical molecular dynamics calculations confirm that the increased interaction area associated with a buckle is sufficient to trap a fullerene. Moreover, they show hopping behavior in agreement with our experimental observations. Our findings further our understanding of carbon nanostructure interactions, which are important in the rapidly developing field of low-voltage aberration corrected TEM and nano-carbon device fabrication.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-010-1012-6

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Sandeep Gorantla,Stanislav Avdoshenko,Felix Börrnert,Alicja Bachmatiuk,Maria Dimitrakopoulou,Franziska Schäffel,Ronny Schönfelder,Jürgen Thomas,Thomas Gemming,Jamie H. Warner,Gianaurelio Cuniberti,Jürgen Eckert,Bernd Büchner,Mark H. Rümmeli, Enhanced π-π interactions between a C60 fullerene and a buckle bend on a double-walled carbon nanotube. NanoRes.2010, 3: 92–97