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Thermal, sonochemical, and mechanical behaviors of single crystal [60]fullerene nanotubes
Author(s) -
Rauwerdink Kristen,
Liu JunFu,
Kintigh Jeremy,
Miller Glen P.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.20480
Subject(s) - fullerene , carbon nanotube , materials science , transmission electron microscopy , nanotechnology , rod , atomic force microscopy , optical microscope , composite material , chemical engineering , scanning electron microscope , chemistry , organic chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , engineering
Although related to conventional carbon nanotubes in both shape and construction, fullerene nanowhiskers and fullerene nanotubes have received far less attention. A modified liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation technique is described to produce relatively uniform batches of [60]fullerene nanotubes in high yield. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveal that the tubes possess ∼100‐nm inside diameters and 300‐nm outside diameters. The [60]fullerene nanotubes degrade slowly at 180°C, eventually collapsing into micron scale [60]fullerene discs and rods, as revealed by optical microscopy and AFM. Ultrasonic cavitation chops [60]fullerene nanotubes into smaller segments within seconds. Longer ultrasonic bathing leads to considerable structural damage in which the sidewalls rupture. Mechanical stress tests using an AFM microscope tip effectively dent and break [60]fullerene nanowhiskers, revealing a hollow interior. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.