Cross-section of a bundle of single walled nanotubes Thess et al Nature

Cross-section of a bundle of single walled nanotubes Thess et al Nature

1.4nm

SWNTs Possible Formation mechanism catalyst - C 60 covered in Ni and Co

3.4 nm Ferrocene interplanar distance is 3.4nm

0.7nm 0.35nm 1.4nm

Cross-section of a bundle of SWNTs with C 60 molecules inside (Thess et al) 1nm

C 60 molecules inside a SWNT Smith, Monthioux and Luzzi Nature nm

Bundles of SWNTs Formed by laser ablation of graphite Ni and Co present Diameters fairly uniform ca 1.4nm Conditions ideal for C 60 formation

0.34 nm Ferrocene

Graphene sheet nucleation zone C 60 Ni/Co atoms

Graphene sheet nucleation zone C 60 Ni/Co atoms

C 60 molecules inside a SWNT Smith, Monthioux and Luzzi Nature nm

C 60 molecules inside a SWNT Smith, Monthioux and Luzzi Nature nm

C 60 molecules inside a SWNT Smith, Monthioux and Luzzi Nature nm

C 60 molecules inside a SWNT Smith, Monthioux and Luzzi Nature nm

C 60 molecules inside a SWNT Smith, Monthioux and Luzzi Nature nm

C 60 molecules inside a SWNT Smith, Monthioux and Luzzi Nature nm

C 60 molecules inside a SWNT Smith, Monthioux and Luzzi Nature nm

C 60 molecules inside a SWNT Smith, Monthioux and Luzzi Nature nm

General Research Strategy at Sussex What fundamental information about nanotube formation can we deduce from their structures and the catalytic particles that create them?

Suggested mechanism for the formation for single walled carbon nanotubes which are ca 1.4nm diameter