Structural Analysis of Collapsed, and Twisted and Collapsed, Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes by Atomic Force Microscopy.
A fully collapsed multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT1) section and a different twisted and fully collapsed MWCNT were observed with tapping-mode atomic force microscopy. The collapsed section of MWCNT1 was significantly more flexible than the uncollapsed sections, and advanced 120 nm within 1 month. The collapse of MWCNT1 was most likely initiated by its interaction with the surface, and possibly a water meniscus. The ability of carbon nanotubes to radially deform under the influence of surface interactions is in striking contrast with their extremely high axial rigidity.
Yu
MF
Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130.
Kowalewski
T
Ruoff
RS