Interaction of Methane with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes： Role of Defects,Curvature and Nanotubes Type

We investigate the interaction of single-walled carbon nanotubes （SWCNTs） and methane molecule from the first principles. Adsorption energies are calculated, and methane affinities for the typical semiconducting and metallic nanotubes are compared. We also discuss role of the structural defects and nanotube curvature on the adsorption capability of the SWCNTs. We could observe larger adsorption energies for the metallic CNTs in comparison with the semiconducting CNTs. The obtained results for the zig zag nanotubes with various diameters reveal that the adsorption energy is higher for nanotubes with larger diameters. For defected tubes the adsorption energies are calculated for various configurations such as methane molecule approaching to the defect sites pentagon, hexagon, and heptagon in the tube surface. The results show that the introduce defects have an important contribution to the adsorption mechanism of the methane on SWNTs.     

Reentrant semiconducting behavior of zigzag carbon nanotubes at substitutional doping by oxygen dimers

The electronic structures of carbon nanotubes doped with oxygen dimers are studied using the ab initio pseudopotential density functional method. The fundamental energy gap of zigzag semiconducting nanotubes exhibits a strong dependence on both the concentration and configuration of oxygen-dimer defects that substitute for carbon atoms in the tubes and on the tube chiral index. For a certain type of zigzag nanotube when doped with oxygen dimers, the energy gap is closed and the tube becomes semimetallic. At higher oxygen-dimer concentrations the gap reopens, and the tube exhibits semiconducting behavior again. The change of the band gap of the zigzag tube is understood in terms of their response to the strains caused by the dimer substitutional doping.     

First-principles studies of zigzag pristine boron nitride nanotubes doped with one iron atom

Interaction of one iron atom with pristine zigzag boron nitride nanotubes with different diameters, ranging from (8,0) to (12,0), have been investigated using density functional theory calculations. Departing from four initial configurations, considering each of them interacting with the tubes’ walls either from inside or outside, we have analyzed the adsorbate migration to the most favorable positions together with the related binding energies and the equilibrium distances as well as the electronic structure of the final systems. It was observed that the smaller the radius of the tube the lower is the binding energy for all studied structures, and also that the inner configuration is more stable than the outer one for small radius. For the preferred position for the iron atom, it was seen that it varies according to the starting configuration and that the iron-first-nitrogen-neighbor bond length works as a constraint in determining the most favorable position for the adsorbate. Finally, for the electronic structure, it was observed that the presence of the dopant introduces localized levels at the band gap of the nanotubes and that those levels are mostly related to the orbitals 3d and 4s of the iron atom. For the inside case, as a consequence of higher hybridization and a confinement effect, the gap closure is more pronounced for small diameter tubes. For all studied structures, it was observed a net-spin-polarization equal to 4 μ _B.     

Thermal conductivity for single-walled carbon nanotubes from Einstein relation in molecular dynamics

Equilibrium molecular dynamics based Einstein relation with an appropriate definition for integrated heat current (i.e., with modified energy moment) are combined to quantify the thermal conductivity of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes, armchair, zigzag and chiral tubes. The thermal conductivity has been investigated as a function of three parameters, tube radius, length and chirality at and near room temperature with Brenner potential model. Thermal conductivity is found to have unusually high value and varies with radius, length and chirality of tubes. Also the thermal conductivity at temperature range from 50 to 100 K is found to have a maximum value. For 12.1 nm tube length, the thermal conductivity has converging trend which its value dependents on the tube radius and chirality. Tubes with large radius have lower values of thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the results show that armchair tubes have large values of the thermal conductivity comparing with zigzag and chiral tubes. It seems possible to uncover carbon nanotubes thermal properties based on measurements having heat dependence by adding another methods for calculations.     

Effects of carbon nanotube structures on mechanical properties

This paper describes a structural mechanics approach to modelling the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Based on a model of truss structures linked by inter-atomic potentials, a closed-form elastic solution is obtained to predict the mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Moreover, the elastic modulus of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) is also predicted for a group of the above mentioned SWNTs with uniform interval spacing. Following the structural mechanics approach, the elastic modulus, Poissons ratio, and the deformation behaviors of SWNTs were investigated as a function of the nanotube size and structure. Poissons ratio of SWNTs shows a chirality dependence, while the elastic modulus is insensitive to the chirality. The disposition of the strain energy of bonds shows quite a difference between the zigzag and armchair tubes subjected to axial loading. A zigzag tube is predicted to have a lower elongation property than an armchair tube. PACS 62.20-x; 62.20.Dc; 62.25+g     

卷曲方式对Rh原子在单壁碳纳米管内外吸附的影响

碳纳米管曲率与卷曲方式是同时存在并影响金属原子在碳纳米管内外吸附行为的重要因素, 单独研究卷曲方式对金属吸附行为的影响较困难. 选取曲率相近、卷曲方式不同的扶手椅型(6, 6)、锯齿型(10, 0)与手性(8, 4)单壁碳纳米管(SWCNT), 利用密度泛函理论研究了Rh原子在SWCNT内外的吸附行为. 构型优化表明:由于SWCNT卷曲方式不同, 导致Rh原子在(6, 6),(10, 0)与(8, 4)SWCNT内外吸附的稳定构型不同; 不同卷曲方式亦使SWCNT与Rh原子相互作用的C原子不同, 导致Rh 关键词： 密度泛函理论 单壁碳纳米管 Rh原子 卷曲方式     

Electronic structure in finite-length deformed metallic carbon nanotubes

Using the -band tight-binding (TB) model and the quantum box boundary condition, we have discussed how both of the applied strain and finite-length affect the energy bands of metallic carbon nanotubes (CNTs). It is found that, for finite-length CNTs, energy gap for the armchair tube under uniaxial strain and metallic zigzag tube under torsional strain will oscillate with increasing strain, which do not exist in the case of infinite-length CNTs, and will be able to be observed by experiments in future.     

The calculation of energy gaps in small single-walled carbon nanotubes within a symmetry-adapted tight-binding model

This paper studies in detail the electronic properties of the semimetallic single-walled carbon nanotubes by applying the symmetry-adapted tight-binding model.It is found that the hybridization of π-σ states caused by the curvature produces an energy gap at the vicinity of the Fermi level.Such effects are obvious for the small zigzag and chiral single-walled carbon nanotubes.The energy gaps decrease as the diameters and the chiral angles of the tubes increase,while the top of the valence band and the bottom of the conduction band of armchair tubes cross at the Fermi level.The numeral results agree well with the experimental results.     

Strong effects of substitute nitrogen-doping on linear optical absorption spectra of zigzag carbon nanotubes

We theoretically study effects of substitute nitrogen-doping on linear optical properties of zigzag carbon nanotubes using tight-binding model and gradient approximation. It is found that, generally, nitrogen-doping reduces the value of absorption peaks and creates a number of new absorption peaks. In addition, near the low energy range, linear optical absorption spectra of nitrogen-doped (m,0) zigzag tubes are remarkably dependent on whether m mod 3 (the remainder of dividing m by 3) is equal to 0, 1 or 2.     

First-principles study of narrow single-walled GaN nanotubes

Structural and electronic properties of narrow single-walled GaN nanotubes with diameter from 0.30 to 0.55 nm are investigated using the density functional method with generalized-gradient approximation. The calculations of total energies predict that the most likely GaN nanotubes in our calculation are (2,2), (3,2) and (3,3) nanotubes. From a detailed analysis we find that these narrow single-walled GaN nanotubes are all semiconductors, of which the armchair and chiral tubes are indirect-band-gap semiconductors whereas the zigzag ones have a direct gap except for (4,0) tube. The indirect band gap of (4,0) tube can stem from band sequence change induced by curvature effect. Our results show that the π-π hybridization effect and the formation of benign buckling separations play a key role in the band sequence changes of (4,0) tube.     

Variation of the electronic properties of zigzag boron nitride nanotubes by Al-doping: a DFT study

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are semiconductors with a wide band gap. In comparison with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), BNNTs have higher chemical stability, excellent mechanical properties and higher thermal conductivity. In this paper, we study the effect of diameters and substituting B and N atoms of various zigzag BNNTs with Al, on structural and electronic properties of BNNTs in solid state using the density functional theory method. The results of calculations of density of states and band structure (band) showed that the band gap between the valence and conduction level increases as a result of the enhancement of tube diameter of BNNTs. Finally, the results showed that the electronic properties of the pristine BNNTs can be improved by doping Al atom in the zigzag configuration of tubes.     

Structural and electronic properties of endohedral doped SWCNTs: A DFT study

The structural and electronic properties of semiconductors (Si and Ge) and metal (Au and Tl) atoms doped armchair (n, n) and zigzag (n, 0); n=4–6, single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been studied using an ab-initio method. We have considered a linear chain of dopant atoms inside CNTs of different diameters but of same length. We have studied variation of B.E./atom, ionization potential, electron affinity and HOMO–LUMO gap of doped armchair and zigzag CNTs with diameter and dopant type. For armchair undoped CNTs, the B.E./atom increases with the increase in diameter of the tubes. For Si, Ge and Tl doped CNTs, B.E./atom is maximum for (6, 6) CNT whereas for Au doped CNTs, it is maximum for (5, 5) CNTs. For pure CNTs, IP decreases slightly with increasing diameter whereas EA increases with diameter. The study of HOMO–LUMO gap shows that on doping metallic character of the armchair CNTs increases whereas for zigzag CNTs semiconducting character increases. In case of zigzag tubes only Si doped (5, 0), (6, 0) and Ge doped (6, 0) CNTs are stable. The IP and EA for doped zigzag CNTs remain almost independent of tube diameter and dopant type whereas for doped armchair CNTs, maximum IP and EA are observed for (5, 5) tube for all dopants.     

有限长双壁碳纳米管的电子输运性质

基于Landauer公式，研究了有限长的非公度和公度双壁碳纳米管的电子输运性顾，结果表明 ，双壁管的几何结构对其电子输运性质有显著的影响：非公度的双壁碳管的电导随能量的不 同，既可以是弹道型的，也可以是非弹道型的；由armchair管组成的公度的双壁碳管的电导 随能量变化呈现快速的电导振荡，并且此快速振荡叠加在背景慢振荡上，而zigzag管组成的 公度双壁管的电导随能量变化只有快速振荡、没有规则的慢振荡背景. 关键词： 碳纳米管 电子输运性质     

On the structural properties of B–C–N nanotubes

We apply a first-principles method, based on the density functional theory, to calculate the structural stability of B–C–N armchair nanotubes, comparing such results with the ones obtained for zigzag configuration. Analysis of the corresponding strain energies confirm that the stability of BC₂N nanotubes is independent of their chirality and demonstrate that such nanostructures have lower strain than BCN and carbon nanotubes. The results show that the formation energy decreases with the tube diameter and indicate that the most stable nanotubes have the maximum number of B–N and C–C bonds. Therefore, from the experimental point of view, larger diameter BC₂N model-I nanotubes should be more probable to be synthesized.     

曲率效应对超小碳纳米管电子性质的影响

在考虑曲率效应的情况下,在螺旋坐标系下解析地推导了非手性的碳纳米管(SWNTs)(包括扶手椅型和锯齿型)的能量色散关系,并分析了曲率效应对超小扶手椅型SWNTs的能带、能隙和导电能力及其对超小锯齿型SWNTs(包括扶手椅型和锯齿型)的能隙的影响.     

超长(n,n)型碳纳米管的密度泛函理论研究

用密度泛函B3LYP/3-21G(d)方法,并利用周期边界条件,研究了n=2—20不同管径的超长(n, n)型单壁碳纳米管的结构、能量、能带结构和能隙.结果表明,管径和能量(或生成焓)都随n有很好的变化规律,并可拟合成很好的解析函数.当n为2和3时,碳纳米管的能隙分别为1.836eV和0.228eV,呈半导体特征,且具有间接带隙;当n=4—20时,能隙介于0.027 eV和0.079 eV之间,呈较强的金属性,且具有直接带 关键词： 扶手椅型碳纳米管 周期边界条件(PBC) 超长模型 能带     

自旋轨道耦合作用对碳纳米管电子能带结构的影响

本文考虑自旋轨道耦合作用的情况下,采用紧束缚近似螺旋对称模型计算了单壁碳纳米管的电子能带结构.研究发现:对于Armchair型单壁碳纳米管,自旋轨道耦合作用和弯曲效应共同导致了费米面Dirac点附近电子能带结构的能隙;对于Zigzag型和手性单壁碳纳米管,自旋轨道耦合作用使得电子最高占据态和最低未占据态产生能级劈裂,能级劈裂的大小不但与碳纳米管的直径和手性角密切相关,而且相对于费米面是不对称的;根据指数(n,m)可以将Zigzag型和手性单壁碳纳米管分为金属性碳纳米管(ν=0) 关键词： 单壁碳纳米管 自旋轨道耦合 紧束缚近似螺旋对称模型     

形变碳纳米管场效应晶体管的电学性质

在紧束缚理论的基础上,推导出轴向拉伸和扭转形变时碳纳米管（CNT）的能带公式.结果显示拉伸和扭转形变都可以改变CNT的导电性质,在金属型和半导体型之间转变,特别是对于锯齿型CNT,根据n 与3的余数关系,在拉伸和扭转中分别显示出三种不同的变化规律.进一步应用场效应晶体管Natori理论模拟计算形变对CNT场效应晶体管的电流-电压特性的影响,锯齿型CNT根据n 与3的余数关系表现出不同的电流变化趋势,而对于扶手椅型CNT轴向拉伸不改变电流;在扭转形变时,CNT电流急剧升高,特别是扶手椅型CNT.锯齿型CNT和扶手椅型CNT的电流随扭转角度和外电压行为明显不同.在某些特定的扭转角度,电流随扭转角度变化非常显著,显示出锯齿型CNT和扶手椅型CNT发生半导体型与金属型之间的转变. 关键词： 碳纳米管 紧束缚理论 费米能级 能带结构     

氮化硼、碳化硅、锗纳米管的熔化与拉伸力学特性

该论文采用Tersoff势的分子动力学方法分析了单壁(5,5)氮化硼、碳化硅、锗纳米管的熔化与轴向拉伸力学特性,讨论了三种纳米管熔化与轴向拉伸力学性能的差异.研究表明:氮化硼管熔化后呈现为网状,碳化硅管为疏松的不规则的团状,锗管呈现为紧密排布的近似球状;相同温度下,碳化硅及氮化硼纳米管的熔点、比热容以及熔化热却均远高于锗管,但系统能量却远低于锗管;三种纳米管中,氮化硼管的抗变形抗能力最大,锗管的抗变形与抗载荷能力最小,而氮化硼、碳化硅管的抗载荷能力相当.     

First principles study of work functions of single wall carbon nanotubes

We perform first principles calculations on work functions of single wall carbon nanotubes, which can be divided into two classes according to tube diameter (D). For class I tubes (D > 1 nm), work functions lie within a narrow distribution (approximately 0.1 eV) and show no significant chirality or diameter dependence. For class II tubes (D < 1 nm), work functions show substantial changes, with armchair tubes decreasing monotonically with diameter, while zigzag tubes show the opposite trend. Surface dipoles and hybridization effects are shown to be responsible for the observed work function change.