Structural modification of single-layer carbon nanotubes with an electron beam

Abstract

Transmission electron imaging and diffraction are used to probe the atomic-level structure of single-layer carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes bend, fold, kink, and radially deform. They have a tendency to form parallel bundles of tubes, and this bundling process has been observed in real time. In addition, the electron beam is used to locally cut and anneal nanotubes. © 1996 American Chemical Society.