Catalytic action of Ni atoms in the formation of carbon nanotubes: a molecular dynamics study.
Catalytic action of Ni atoms in the growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes is investigated using tight-binding molecular dynamics and ab initio methods. Our results demonstrate this to be a two step process in which the Ni atom first creates and stabilizes defects in nanotubes. The subsequent incorporation of incoming carbon atoms anneals the Ni-stabilized defects freeing the Ni atom to repeat the catalytic process.
Andriotis
A N
AN
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, P.O. Box 1527, 71110 Heraklio, Crete, Greece. andriot@iesl.forth.gr
Menon
M
M
Froudakis
G
G