title: Polymerization of carbon nanotubes through self-irradiation.
abstract: We have investigated the formation of cross-links between neighboring carbon nanotubes within a bundle. Classical molecular dynamics was used to follow the evolution of the system when it is bombarded by low-energy carbon atoms. We show that it is possible to polymerize carbon nanotubes through irradiation and discuss the most common types of defects produced. Cross-links are created mainly in the direction perpendicular to the surface, and for higher energies, defects are created deeper in the rope. The final defects geometries may provide a realistic input to electronic density first principle calculations.
authors.affiliation: Material Science Program, Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, C.P.: 15051, 91501-070 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Link
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Federizzi
authors.forename: Cassio Stein
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Moura
authors.forename: Livio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Amaral