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Atomic correlation between adjacent graphene layers in double-wall carbon nanotubes
Ayako Hashimoto1, Kazu Suenaga, Koki Urita
1Research Center for Advanced Carbon Materials, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, 305-8565, Japan. hashimoto-aya@aist.go.jp
Physical Review Letters
|March 24, 2005
Summary
Atomic correlations in double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) were studied. Adjacent graphene layers showed constant diameter differences but no chiral angle correlation, impacting nanotube structure.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) are complex nanostructures with nested layers.
- Understanding inter-layer atomic correlations is crucial for predicting DWNT properties and applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the atomic correlation between adjacent graphene layers in DWNTs.
- To investigate the relationship between chiral indices and atomic stacking in concentric and eccentric DWNTs.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was employed.
- Chiral index assignment was used to analyze the atomic structure of nested nanotubes.
Main Results:
- A consistent diameter difference of approximately 0.75 nm was observed between adjacent layers in concentric DWNTs.
- No direct chiral angle correlation was found between the constituent nanotubes in concentric DWNTs.
- Local atomic correlations indicative of commensurate graphene stacking were observed in eccentric DWNTs and circumscribed nanotubes.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that while diameter is a key factor, chiral angles are not strongly correlated in concentric DWNTs.
- Commensurate stacking in eccentric DWNTs likely induces elastic deformation and influences nanotube bundling.
- This research provides insights into the structural mechanics of multi-wall carbon nanotubes.