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Nanotube w/
hemispheric
Structure of Carbon Nanotubes
Single-Wall Nanotubes SWNTs
Most single-walled nanotubes (SWNT) have a diameter of close to 1 nanometer, with a tube length that can be many
millions of times longer. The structure of a SWNT can be conceptualized by wrapping a one-atom-thick layer of
graphite called graphene into a seamless cylinder. The way the graphene sheet is wrapped is represented by a pair of
indices (n,m) called the chiral vector. The integers n and m denote the number of unit vectors along two directions in
the honeycomb crystal lattice of graphene. If m = 0, the nanotubes are called "zigzag". If n = m, the nanotubes are
called "armchair". Otherwise, they are called "chiral".
Single-Wall Nanotubes SWNTs
(n,0)
zigzag nanotube (9, 0)
(n,n)
armchair nanotube (5, 5)
(n,m)
helical (chiral)
nanotube (10,5)
- hexagonal rings,
pentagonal rings at each tips;
- C=C bond and C≡C bond,
inducing a unique versatile
( n and m are the integers of the vector OA considering
the unit vectors a1 and a2. ) electronic behavior.
Single-Wall Nanotubes SWNTs
(b) after
2,900 ◦C heat-
treatment. Both the
herringbone and the
bamboo textures
have become
obvious.
Kinetic
Multi-walled nanotubes, multiple concentric nanotubes precisely nested within
one another, exhibit a striking telescoping property whereby an inner nanotube
core may slide, almost without friction, within its outer nanotube shell thus
creating an atomically perfect linear or rotational bearing.
The carbon species are there after deposited as soot in different regions:
water-cooled copper collector, quartz tube walls.
2 Synthesis with CO2 laser
Vaporization of a target at a
fixed temperature by a
continuous CO2 laser beam (λ =
10.6μm). The power can be varied
from 100Wto 1,600 W.
Sketch of a solar
energy reactor in use
in Odeilho (France).
(a) Gathering of sun
rays, focused in F;
(b) Example of Pyrex®
chamber placed in
(a) so that the
graphite crucible is
at the point F.
The high temperature of about 4,000K permits both the carbon and the catalysts
to vaporize. The vapors are then dragged by the neutral gas and condense onto
the cold walls of the thermal screen.
Application:
Nanotube-based SPM (scanning probe microscopy) tips
Fig. 3.27 Scanning electron microscopy
image of a carbon nanotube (MWNT)
mounted onto a regular ceramic tip as a
probe for atomic force microscopy.