Molecular junctions by joining single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Crossing single-walled carbon nanotubes can be joined by electron beam welding to form molecular junctions. Stable junctions of various geometries are created in situ in a transmission electron microscope. Electron beam exposure at high temperatures induces structural defects which promote the joining of tubes via cross-linking of dangling bonds. The observations are supported by molecular dynamics simulations which show that the creation of vacancies and interstitials induces the formation of junctions involving seven- or eight-membered carbon rings at the surface between the tubes.
Department of Advanced Materials, IPICyT, Venustiano Carranza 2425-A, 78210 San Luis Potosí, SLP. México.
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Terrones
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Banhart
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Grobert
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Charlier
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Ajayan