A physical model for the growth mechanism of amorphous carbon nanotubes (ACNTs) (namely, “open tips growth and carbon clusters (Cn,n>6) adding”) has been proposed in this letter. Based on Tersoff–Brenner [Phys. Rev. B 37, 6991 (1988) and Phys. Rev. B 42, 9458 (1990)] and Lennard-Jones potential energy functions, a mathematic relationship for the growth of ACNTs was established. The predicted diameters of ACNTs from this physical model were in the range of 5–25 nm. The predicted values were in agreement with the experimental measurements in the range of 7–20 nm.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.