Journal article
In-situ observations of catalyst dynamics during surface-bound carbon nanotube nucleation
We present atomic-scale, video-rate environmental transmission electron microscopy and in situ time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of surface-bound catalytic chemical vapor deposition of single-walled carbon nanotubes and nanofibers. We observe that transition metal catalyst nanoparticles on SiOx support show crystalline lattice fringe contrast and high deformability before and during nanotube formation.
A single-walled carbon nanotube nucleates by lift-off of a carbon cap. Cap stabilization and nanotube growth involve the dynamic reshaping of the catalyst nanocrystal itself. For a carbon nanofiber, the graphene layer stacking is determined by the successive elongation and contraction of the catalyst nanoparticle at its tip.
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Year: | 2007 |
| Pages: | 602-608 |
| ISSN: | 15306992 and 15306984 |
| Types: | Journal article |
| DOI: | 10.1021/nl0624824 |
