A comparative study of argon ion irradiated pristine and fluorinated single-wall carbon nanotubes

Effect of Ar(+) ion irradiation on the structure of pristine and fluorinated single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The TEM analysis revealed retention of tubular structures in both irradiated samples while Raman spectroscopy and XPS data indicated a partial destruction of nanotubes and formation of oxygen-containing groups on the nanotube surface. From similarity of electronic states of carbon in the irradiated pristine and fluorinated SWCNTs observed by XPS, it was suggested that defluorination of nanotubes proceeded with breaking of C-F bonds.