Diameter-dependent elastic modulus supports the metastable-catalyst growth of carbon nanotubes.

Journal article

We measured the elastic modulus of individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) grown by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) over a broad diameter range (10-25 nm). Alternating current (ac) dielectrophoresis was used for efficient tube deposition, and atomic force microscope (AFM) force-displacement curve technique was used for stiffness measurements. The elastic modulus exhibits a strong diameter dependence, showing a difference of nearly 2 orders of magnitude in the 10-20 nm diameter range (thinner MWCNTs have higher elastic modulus). Our results support the metastable-catalyst model in which the catalyst's molten skin plays a key role.

Authors: Lee, K; Lukić, B; Magrez, A; Seo, J; Briggs, G

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Nano letters
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1598-1602
• Publication date: 2007-06-01
• DOI: 10.1021/nl070502b
• EISSN: 1530-6992
• ISSN: 1530-6984
• Language: English
• Keywords: Crystallization; Molecular Conformation; Electrophoresis; Computer Simulation; Nanotechnology; Surface Properties; Models, Chemical; Nanotubes, Carbon; Materials Testing; Elasticity; Catalysis; Macromolecular Substances; Particle Size; Stress, Mechanical