Electron-induced cutting of single-walled carbon nanotubes

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 178 - 185
• Main Authors: Rauwald, Urs, Shaver, Jonah, Klosterman, Donald A., Chen, Zheyi, Silvera-Batista, Carlos, Schmidt, Howard K., Hauge, Robert H., Smalley, Richard E., Ziegler, Kirk J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Carbon; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Cutting; Cutting speed; Exact sciences and technology; Fluence; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; High energy electrons; Irradiation; Materials science; Nanotubes; Physics; Single wall carbon nanotubes; Specific materials; Singlewalled nanotube; Energy; Electron irradiation; Distribution; Electron beam; Carbon; Electrons
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2008.09.043

Electron beam irradiation with moderate fluences of approximately 10 16–10 17 electrons per cm 2 is used for controllable, bulk-scale cutting of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The effectiveness of high energy electron irradiation in cutting SWCNTs is dependent on the nature of the sidewall. While pristine nanotubes are very stable under irradiation conditions, ozonated SWCNTs combined with a moderate fluence of electrons resulted in bulk-scale cutting of nanotubes. The length distribution of the cut SWCNTs could be controlled by adjusting the irradiation fluence. The average length of the cut nanotubes was 65 nm with 85% of the nanotubes shorter than 100 nm.