Enormous shrinkage of carbon nanotubes by supersonic stress and low-acceleration electron beam irradiation

Abstract

The authors demonstrated a new method for inducing enormous shrinkage in single-walled carbon nanotube bundles by applying low energy electron beam irradiation along with supersonic vibration, and a maximum shrinkage rate of À100% cm 2 /C was obtained under electron acceleration of 1 keV. The characteristic feature of the shrunken single-walled carbon nanotubes was a wavy deformation that affected the entire bundle. The authors believe that a uniaxial stress induced by the supersonic vibration broke the equilibrium of the internal stress and allowed the uniform accumulation of defects under low energy electron beam excitation. The wavy deformation of the single-walled carbon nanotubes resulted in the enormous shrinkage of the bundle.

Argon-Beam-Induced Defects in a Silica-Supported Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube

“…Carbon nanostructures are of great technological importance because of their unique mechanical − and electrical properties − and the rich physics phenomena − encountered in many studies. Electron-beam − and ion-beam irradiation − are standard techniques used to fabricate carbon-based nanodevices. Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques can be used to modify carbon nanostructures, but they are not adequate for mass production. , Focused ion beam and e-beam lithography systems, however, can modify carbon structures and are orders of magnitude faster than mechanical tips, producing an ion-beam spot that is a few nanometers in diameter. , Alternatively, a high-speed stream of glow discharge plasma allows for the selective etching of carbon nanostructures. − Several computational studies − of these materials have been carried out because they have become an important complement to present experimental studies.…”

Experimental Evidence of Negative Thermal Expansion in a Composite Nanocable of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Amorphous Carbon along the Axial Direction

“…29 As for loss of carbon atoms, it is usually observed in previous reports. 26 However, no bending of SWNTs toward the reverse direction of incident electrons is observed, 29 suggesting the loss of carbon will not necessarily result in the bending of SWNTs. In this work, the nanocable bends toward the reverse direction of the e-beam without obvious shrinkage.…”

“…26 After electron beam irradiation for 110 s, obvious shrinkage is observed but no bending of SWNTs is found. 26 Meanwhile, the loss of carbon atoms and depositions of amorphous carbon have been reported by Fujita et al 29 The individual SWNT becomes shorter and thicker after being irradiated with electron doses of 1.0 C/cm 2 but no bending of SWNTs toward the reverse direction of incident electrons is observed. 29 As for loss of carbon atoms, it is usually observed in previous reports.…”

“…26 Meanwhile, the loss of carbon atoms and depositions of amorphous carbon have been reported by Fujita et al 29 The individual SWNT becomes shorter and thicker after being irradiated with electron doses of 1.0 C/cm 2 but no bending of SWNTs toward the reverse direction of incident electrons is observed. 29 As for loss of carbon atoms, it is usually observed in previous reports. 26 However, no bending of SWNTs toward the reverse direction of incident electrons is observed, 29 suggesting the loss of carbon will not necessarily result in the bending of SWNTs.…”

Electron Transport in Graphene-Based Nanosensors for Eu(III) Detection

“…In particular, we are studying graphene, a nanomaterial with vibronic, plasmonic, and electronic properties that can be exploited in the design of sophisticated electronic devices and sensors. Carbon nanostructures are important because of their unique mechanical − and electrical properties − and physical phenomena. − Currently, electron- − and ion-beam irradiation − are techniques for patterning carbon-based nanodevices, and scanning probe microscopy techniques are used to modify carbon nanostructures. , Ion beam and e-beam lithography scan carbon structures orders of magnitude faster than mechanical tips do, yielding ion-beam spots of only a few nanometers. , A high-speed stream of glow discharge plasma also allows etching of carbon nanostructures. − All of these advances in experimental techniques open the door for the development and nanofabrication of nanosensors in massive quantities. However, at the level of nanometers, a strong support and guidance of first-principles computational methods is needed as trial and error experimentation is inefficient and costly.…”