title: Solution-phase extraction of ultrathin inner shells from double-wall carbon nanotubes.
abstract: We present an efficient method to extract inner shells of double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) in liquid phase. The extraction of inner from outer shells is achieved by cutting the DWCNTs with vigorous sonication in water containing surfactants. The extracted shells are perfectly isolated single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and can be separated using density gradient ultracentrifugation. Statistical analysis using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals that the enrichment of SWCNTs with narrow diameter (0.62-1.0 nm) up to 100% is achieved from highly pure DWCNTs. Furthermore, the (5,4) SWCNTs, which have the diameter of 0.62 nm, are concentrated. Our findings provide a novel way to obtain very narrow, highly isolated SWCNTs with ultraclean surface that have not been obtained in conventional synthesis methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasumitsu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujihara
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Asada
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kitaura
authors.forename: Hisanori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shinohara
mesh_terms: D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient / Q000379:methods; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D013010:Sonication; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D014461:Ultracentrifugation / Q000379:methods; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water