Carbon linear chains inside multiwalled nanotubes

• Published in: Surface science 2007-09, Vol.601 (18), p.3926-3932
• Main Authors: Cazzanelli, E., Caputi, L., Castriota, M., Cupolillo, A., Giallombardo, C., Papagno, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arc discharge synthesis; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Linear carbon chains; Multiwalled carbon nanotubes; Physics; Raman spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0039-6028; 1879-2758
• DOI: 10.1016/j.susc.2007.04.153

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes have been deposited on graphite cathodes by using an arc discharge technique in He atmosphere, with the insertion of a catalytic Ni–Cr mixture as well as without catalysers. The topography of such deposition has been investigated by SEM, while a parallel micro-Raman study has revealed, in particular regions of the deposited cathodes, strong bands in the range 1780–1860 cm −1, assignable to linear carbon chains inside the nanotubes. The variation of intensity, frequency and bandwidth of such bands has been investigated, in relation with the spectral characters of the host multiwalled carbon nanotube. In the cathode deposited without catalyst a quite ordered configuration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes is obtained in the central zone, while the maximum concentration of linear carbon chains is found in a ring shaped zone just inside the border. In sample obtained with catalyst the deposited multiwalled carbon nanotubes appear always more disordered, and a remarkable concentration of carbon chains appears in some zones, with a more casual distribution.