Atomic configuration of nitrogen-doped single-walled carbon nanotubes

Having access to the chemical environment at the atomic level of a dopant in a nanostructure is crucial for the understanding of its properties. We have performed atomically resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy to detect individual nitrogen dopants in single-walled carbon nanotubes and compared with first-principles calculations. We demonstrate that nitrogen doping occurs as single atoms in different bonding configurations: graphitic-like and pyrrolic-like substitutional nitrogen neighboring local lattice distortion such as Stone-Thrower-Wales defects. We also show that the largest fraction of nitrogen amount is found in poly aromatic species that are adsorbed on the surface of the nanotube walls. The stability under the electron beam of these nanotubes has been studied in two different cases of nitrogen incorporation content and configuration. These findings provide key information for the applications of these nanostructures.