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An Atomistic Branching Mechanism for Carbon Nanotubes: Sulfur as the Triggering Agent
Author(s) -
RomoHerrera José M.,
Sumpter Bobby G.,
Cullen David A.,
Terrones Humberto,
CruzSilva Eduardo,
Smith David J.,
Meunier Vincent,
Terrones Mauricio
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.200705053
Subject(s) - branching (polymer chemistry) , sulfur , carbon nanotube , atomic force microscopy , materials science , nanotechnology , spectroscopy , chemical physics , chemical engineering , chemistry , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , metallurgy
Going out on a limb : A combination of theoretical techniques, high‐resolution microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy shows the role sulfur plays in branching phenomena during carbon nanotube (CNT) network growth. A model is proposed in which small amounts of sulfur are enough to trigger the growth of a bud in a CNT, leading to kink formation and subsequent branch growth (see SEM image).