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The effects of structure and morphology on lithium storage in single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles were studied by electrochemistry and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. SWNTs were chemically etched to variable lengths and were intercalated with Li. The reversible Li storage capacity increased from LiC(6) in close-end SWNTs to LiC(3) after etching, which is twice the value observed in intercalated graphite. All the nanotubes became metallic upon intercalation of Li, with the density of states at the Fermi level increasing with increasing Li concentration. The enhanced capacity is attributed to Li diffusion into the interior of the SWNTs through the opened ends and sidewall defects.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes were studied by (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Two types of (13)C nuclear spins were identified with different spin-lattice relaxation rates. The fast-relaxing component, assigned to metallic tubes, followed the relaxation behavior expected in metals, and the density-of-states at the Fermi level increased with decreasing tube diameter. The slow-relaxing component has a significantly lower density-of-states at the Fermi level. Exposure to oxygen has a substantial effect on relaxation rates of both components.

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