Structural, curvature and electronic properties of Rh adsorption on armchair single-walled carbon nanotube

This paper systematically studies the rolling effects of the (n, n) single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with different curvatures on Rh adsorption behaviours by using density functional theory. The outside charge densities of SWCNTs are found to be higher than those inside, and the differences decrease with the increase of the tube radius. This electronic property led to the discovery that the outside adsorption energies are higher than the inside ones, and that the differences are reduced with the increase of the tube radius. Partial density of states and charge density difference indicate that these strong interactions induce electron transfer between Rh atoms and SWCNTs.     

Growth of aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes under ac electric fields through floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition

Through floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition(CVD) method,well-aligned isolated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and their bundles were deposited on the metal electrodes patterned on the SiO₂/Si surface under ac electric fields at relatively low temperature(280℃). It was indicated that SWCNTs were effectively aligned under ac electric fields after they had just grown in the furnace.The time for a SWCNT to be aligned in the electric field and the effect of gas flow were estimated. Polarized Raman scattering was performed to characterize the aligned structure of SWCNTs. This method would be very useful for the controlled fabrication and preparation of SWCNTs in practical applications.     

Can a Single－Wall Carbon Nanotube be an X－Ray Waveguide？

We study the transport efficiency for x-rays of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in theory. Three effects，i.e. refraction, absorption and x-ray tunneling loss, are considered. Our calculation shows that the SWCNT cannot be an x-ray waveguide due to the large x-ray tunneling loss. If the tunneling loss can be reduced effectively, a nanotube could be a waveguide.     

Giant magnetic moment at open ends of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The attractions of cantilevers made of multiwalled carbon nanotubes(MWNTs)and secured on one end are studied in the non-uniform magnetic field of a permanent magnet.Under an optical microscope,the positions and the corresponding deflections of the original cantilevers(with iron catalytic nanoparticles at the free end)and corresponding cut-off cantilevers(the free ends consisting of open ends of MWNTs)are studied.Both kinds of CNT cantilevers are found to be attracted by the magnet,and the point of application of force is proven to be at the tip of the cantilever.By measuring and comparing deflections between these two kinds of cantilevers,the magnetic moment at the open ends of the CNTs can be quantified.Due to the unexpectedly high value of the magnetic moment at the open ends of carbon nanotubes,it is called giant magnetic moment,and its possible mechanisms are proposed and discussed.     

Mechanism of Carbon Nanotubes Aligning along Applied Electric Field

The mechanism of single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWCNTs） aligning in the direction of external electric field is studied by quantum mechanics calculations. The rotational torque on the carbon nanotubes is proportional to the difference between the longitudinal and transverse polarizabilities and varies with the angle of SWCNTs to the external electric field. The longitudinal polarizability increases with second power of length, while the transverse polarizability increases linearly with length. A zigzag SWCNT has larger longitudinal and transverse polarizabilities than an armchair SWCNT with the same diameter and the discrepancy becomes larger for longer tubes.     

Radial collapse and physical mechanism of carbon nanotube with divacancy and 5-8-5 defects

By employing molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the radial collapses and elasticities of different chiral single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWCNTs) with divacancy, and 5-8-5 defects. It is found that divacancy and 5-8-5 defect can reduce the collapse pressure(Pc) of SWCNT(10, 10) while 5-8-5 defect can greatly increase Pc of SWCNT(17, 0). For example, 5-8-5 defect can make Pc of SWCNT(17, 0) increase by 500%. A model is established to understand the effects of chirality, divacancy, and 5-8-5 defect on radial collapse of SWCNTs. The results are particularly of value for understanding the mechanical behavior of SWCNT with divacancy, and the 5-8-5 defect that may be considered as a filler of high loading composites.     

Fabrication and electrochemical properties of free-standing single-walled carbon nanotube film electrodes

An easily manipulative approach was presented to fabricate electrodes using free-standing single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films grown directly by chemical vapor deposition.Electrochemical properties of the electrodes were investigated.In comparison with the post-deposited SWCNT papers,the directly grown SWCNT film electrodes manifested enhanced electrochemical properties and sensitivity of sensors as well as excellent electrocatalytic activities.A transition from macroelectrode to nanoelectrode behaviours was observed with the increase of scan rate.The heat treatment of the SWCNT film electrodes increased the current signals of electrochemical analyser and background current,because the heat-treatment of the SWCNTs in air could create more oxide defects on the walls of the SWCNTs and make the surfaces of SWCNTs more hydrophilic.The excellent electrochemical properties of the directly grown and heat-treated free-standing SWCNT film electrodes show the potentials in biological and electrocatalytic applications.     

Adsorptions and diffusions of carbon atoms on the surface and in the subsurface of Co （200）： A first-principles density-functional study

First-principles calculations based on density functional theory are used to investigate the adsorptions and diffusions of carbon atoms on the surface and in the subsurface of Co(200). The preferred site for the carbon atom on the surface is the hollow site, and the preferred site in the subsurface is the octahedral site. There is charge transfer from the surface to the adsorbed carbon atom, and for the most favorable adsorbed structure the charge transfer is largest. Moreover, the energy barriers for the diffusions of carbon atoms on the surface and from the surface into the subsurface and then back to the surface are calculated in detail. The results indicate that the energy barrier for the diffusion of carbon atoms on the surface is comparable to that from the subsurface to the surface. The results imply that both the direct surface nucleation and the surface segregation from Co bulk can be observed in the chemical vapor deposition growth of graphene on Co(200)substrate, which can gain a new insight into the growth mechanism of graphene.     

Codoping of Potassium and Bromine in Carbon Nanotubes： A Density Functional Theory Study

We investigate the co-doping of potassium and bromine in single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWCNTs） and doublewalled carbon nanotubes （DWCNTs） based on density functional theory. In the co-doped （6,0） SWCNTs, the 4s electron of potassium is transferred to nanotube and Br, leading to the n-type feature of SWCNTs. When potassium is intercalated into inner tube and bromine is put on outer tube, the positive and negative charges reside on the outer and inner tubes of the （7,0）@（16,0） DWCNT, respectively. It is expected that DWCNTs would be an ideal candidate for p-n junction and diode applications.     

Large magnetic moment at sheared ends of single-walled carbon nanotubes

In this work we report that after single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWNTs) are sheared with a pair of titanium scissors,the magnetization becomes larger than that of the corresponding pristine ones. The magnetization increases proportionally with the number of SWNTs with sheared ends, suggesting that there exist magnetic moments at the sheared ends of SWNTs.By using the coefficient of this linear relation, the average magnetic moment is estimated to be 41.5 ± 9.8 μB(Bohr magneton) per carbon atom in the edge state at temperature of 300.0 K, suggesting that ultrahigh magnetic fields can be produced. The dangling sigma and pi bonds of the carbon atoms at sheared ends play important roles in determining the unexpectedly high magnetic moments, which may have great potential applications.     

Field emission patterns with atomic resolution of single-walled carbon nanotubes by field emission microscopy

Electron emission properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) assembled on a tungsten tip were investigated using field emission microscopy (FEM). The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrograph confirmed the existence of an SWCNT bundle on the W tip. Under appropriate experimental conditions,a series of FEM patterns with atomic resolution were obtained. These patterns arose possibly from the field emission of the open end of an individual (16,0) SWCNT protruding from the SWCNT bundle. The magnification factor and the resolution under our experimental conditions were calculated theoretically. If the value of the compression factor β was set at β= 1.76, the calculated value of the magnification factor was in agreement with the measured value. The resolving powerof FEM was determined by the resolution equation given by Gomer. The resolutionof 0.277 nm could be achieved under the typical electric field of 5.0×107 V/cm, which was close to the interatomic separation 0.246 nm between carbon atoms along the zigzag edge at the open end for the (16, 0) SWCNT. Consequently, our experimental results were further supported by our theoretical calculation.     

电子束诱导单壁碳纳米管不稳定的新观察

利用透射电镜在室温下对不同形态的单壁碳纳米管进行了原位电子束辐照研究.研究发现:在相同的辐照条件下随着辐照时间(或辐照剂量)的增加,两端固定的单壁碳纳米管径向收缩,且收缩速率越来越快;相同直径的轴向弯曲的单壁碳纳米管比平直的单壁碳纳米管更加不稳定;一端固定另端自由的单壁碳纳米管轴向收缩,但其直径基本不变.利用单壁碳纳米管纳米曲率效应和能量束诱导非热激活效应,对上述单壁碳纳米管不稳定性现象进行了新的、合理的解释.     

Exploring the simultaneous existence of Stone-Wales and carbon ad-dimer defects in the zigzag single-walled carbon nanotubes

We have applied density functional calculations to investigate simultaneous existence of Stone–Wales (SW) and carbon ad-dimer (CD) defects in the zigzag (n, 0) n=5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 SWCNTs, with an extensive search by considering two different orientations of defects. According to our results, the adsorption of a carbon dimer on a hexagonal ring of SWCNTs is easier than the rotation of a C–C bond trough the SW rearrangement. Moreover, the formation of a carbon dimer on the exterior sidewalls of an SW defective SWCNT or the rotation of a C–C bond of a CD defective SWCNT is more favorable than those on the perfect ones. Defect formation energy shows a strong dependence on the both SWCNT radius and defect orientation. The reactivity of SW–CD defective SWCNTs through chemisorption of hydrogen atoms on the central bonds of defect sites shows the thermodynamically lower preference of additions for the CD defective sites in comparison to SW defective sites. Histograms of the ¹³C NMR chemical shifts of SW–CD defective SWCNTs exhibit individual signals for defect sites, which can be attributed to azupyrene- and pentalelene-like structures for SW and CD defect sites, respectively.     

First principles study on magnetic and electronic properties with rare-earth atoms doped SWCNTs

The adsorptions of rare-earth (RE) atoms on (6, 0) and (8, 0) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been investigated by using the first-principles pseudopotential plane wave method within density functional theory (DFT). The binding energy, Mulliken charge, magnetic properties, band structure and DOS were calculated and analyzed. Most of RE atoms including Nd, Sm and Eu have a magnetic ground state with a significant magnetic moment. Some electrons transfer between RE-5d, 6s and C-2p orbitals. Owing to the curvature effect, the values of binding energy for RE atoms doped (6, 0) SWCNT are lower than those of the same atoms on (8, 0) SWCNT. The pictures of DOS show that hybridizations between RE-5d, 6s states and C-2p orbitals and between RE-4f and C-2p orbitals appear near the Fermi level. Results indicate that the properties of SWCNTs can be modified by the adsorptions of RE atoms.     

金原子掺杂的碳纳米管吸附CO气体的密度泛函理论研究

鉴于碳纳米管复合材料具有较强气敏性,该性质对于指导剧毒气体探测器的研发具有重要意义,因此,本文采用密度泛函方法对CO气体在本征、金原子掺杂(8,0)单壁碳纳米管的吸附行为进行研究. 通过对吸附体系的几何、电子结构研究表明,CO分子在金原子掺杂的碳纳米管外壁的金原子位置处的吸附能力远大于CO在本征碳纳米管处的吸附,此外,还计算了两种典型位置的电子密度、态密度,进一步支持了掺金碳纳米管对CO气体具有超强的敏感性,因此,金原子掺杂的碳纳米管有望成为探测CO气体的新一代气敏元件. 关键词： 碳纳米管 CO 金原子 掺杂     

Longitudinal,transverse, and torsional vibrations and stabilities of axially moving single-walled carbon nanotubes

Thanks to the brilliant mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), they are suggested as high speed nanoscale vehicles. To date, various aspects of vibrations of SWCNTs have been addressed; however, vibrations and instabilities of moving SWCNTs have not been thoroughly assessed. Herein, vibrational properties of an axially moving SWCNT with simply supported ends are studied using nonlocal Rayleigh beam theory. Employing assumed mode and Galerkin methods, the discrete governing equations pertinent to longitudinal, transverse, and torsional motions of the moving SWCNT are obtained. The resulting eigenvalue equations are then numerically solved. The speeds corresponding to the initiation of the instability within the moving nanostructure are calculated. The roles of the speed of the moving SWCNT, small-scale parameter, and aspect ratio on the characteristics of longitudinal, transverse, and torsional vibrations of axially moving SWCNTs are scrutinized. The obtained results show that the appearance of the small-scale parameter would result in the occurrence of both divergence and flutter instabilities at lower levels of the speed.     

The mechanical property of single-walled carbon nanotube under combined electromechanical loading

The mechanical properties and failure process of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) under combined electric field and tensile loading are investigated using the semi-empirical quantum mechanical method. The local and global structural deformation and variation of mechanical properties of SWCNT under different directions and intensity of external electric field are discussed systematically. It is shown that the electric field induced deformation in the radial and axial directions of the SWCNT are strongly dependent on the direction of electric field. The analysis of mechanical properties shows that the structure stiffness, tensile strength and failure strain of the SWCNT all decrease with the increase of the field intensity, which is particularly evident under the longitudinal electric field. The Young's modulus of SWCNTs vary with the tube diameter and are affected by the electric field. The increase of the length of the tubes intensifies the charge concentration at the tube ends under the electric field and lead to the decrease of mechanical properties of SWCNTs. The failure process of SWCNTs under the coupling effect of electric field and tensile loading is found to be controlled by the field strength and also affected by the electric charge accumulation.     

Liquid dimethyl sulphoxide confined by carbon nanotubes

Here, we report the molecular dynamics simulation on liquid dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) confined by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in comparison with DMSO in the bulk phase at 298 K. The local order of DMSO, analysed in terms of radial distribution functions is similar to that in the bulk except the case with the SWCNT (8, 8) where the anomalous structure pattern is realized. Meanwhile, the translational self-diffusion coefficients of DMSO in confinements are much lower then in the bulk phase (by a factor of 2–3) and correlate with a value of the SWCNT internal diameter. Using cylindrical distribution functions of DMSO atoms we elucidate that the slowdown of self-diffusion coefficient of DMSO confined in the SWCNTs is reduced by the first layer of DMSO molecules close to the SWCNT wall.     

Sidewall fluorination and hydrogenation of single-walled carbon nanotubes: a density functional theory study

The fluorination and hydrogenation reactions on (6, 6) and (10, 0) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been examined via computing the reaction energy for the chemisorption. The examined nanotubes have comparable lengths and diameters, with or without Stone-Wales defects on the sidewall. The two fluorine or hydrogen atoms are anchored to the external walls of the SWCNTs. The computed chemisorption energies of these virtual reactions reveal that the fluorination and hydrogenation of the nanotubes are moderately sensitive to the nanotube chirality and the sidewall topology, and the (10, 0) SWCNT with Stone-Wales defect can be easily fluorinated and hydrogenated.