Carbon nanotube-fullerene hybrid nanostructures by C₆₀ bombardment: formation and mechanical behavior

This study reports the investigation on C60 bombardment on the carbon nanotube (CNT) by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. We found that carbon nanotube nanobuds or nanotube-fullerene hybrid nanostructures can be formed by C60 bombardment. Different from the nanobuds in earlier studies, more structural patterns are found in the bombardment formed nanobuds and nanotube-fullerene hybrid nanostructures. In addition, the attaching strengths of the carbon nanobuds are explored, and results indicate that the junction between C60 and CNTs in the nanobuds is very stable. Moreover, we also found that the bombardment formed nanobuds and nanotube-fullerene hybrid nanostructures generally decrease the maximum tensile strength and Young's modulus of carbon nanotubes.