Electronic structure of semiconducting nanotubes adsorbed on metal surfaces

A total-energy electronic-structure calculation is performed to explore energetics and electronic structures of nanotubes adsorbed on metal surfaces. We find that the charge transfer from metal surfaces to the nanotubes takes place depending on both the electronic structures of the adsorbed nanotubes and the work functions of the metal surfaces. In addition, we also find a substantial hybridization between the electron states of metal atoms and those of the nanotubes, which results in the metal-induced inhomogeneous charge distribution in the nanotubes.