Abstract
We overgrew single-crystalline Zn(BO2)2 coatings on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the first time. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that the carbon nanotube-zinc borate composite rods are from tens to hundreds of nm in diameter. It is notable that the original curly tubes were straightened by the monocrystalline coatings. In addition, the crystal nucleation and growth on the surface of CNT were explained. We set a two-dimensional model, which is based on our experimental result, to qualitatively explain the mechanism of straightening the curly tubes by coating them with single-crystals.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Richard C, Balavoine F, Schultz P, et al. Supramolecular self-assembly of lipid derivatives on carbon nanotubes. Science, 2003, 300: 775–778
Rüdiger R, Meyer J S, Rafal E, Dunin B, et al. Discrete atom imaging of one-dimensional crystals formed within single-walled carbon nametapes. Science, 2000, 289: 1324–1326
Bao J C, Tie C Y, Xu Z, et al. A facile method for creating an array of metal-filled carbon nametapes. Adv Mater, 2002, 14: 1483–1486
El-Hami K, Matsushige K, Covering single walled carbon nametapes by the poly (VDF-co-TrEE) copolymer. Chem Phys Lett, 2003, 368: 168–171
Xu Q, Zhang L, Zhu J. Controlled growth of composite based on coating Ni on carbon nametapes by electrochemical method. J Phys Chem B, 2003, 107: 8294–8296
Fukushima T, Kosaka A, Ishimura Y, et al. Molecular ordering of organic molten salts triggered by single-walled carbon nametapes. Science, 2003, 300: 2072–2074
Cadek M, Coleman J N, Ryan K P, et al. Reinforcement of polymers with carbon nanotubes: The role of nanotube surface area. Nano Letters, 2004, 4(2): 353–356
Dujardin E, Ebbesen T W, Hiura H, et al. Capillarity and wetting of carbon nametapes. Science, 1994, 265: 1850–1852
Yan P X, Liu J Z, Wang J, Wu Z G. Overgrowing single crystalline ZnB2O4 on multiwall carbon nanotubes: Straightening the curly tubes. Appl Phys Lett, 2004, 85: 4747–4749
Harrison D E. Lamellar glass-crystal structures in the system ZnO-B2O3. Journal of Crystal Growth, 1968, 3&4: 674–678
Kim P, Shi L, Majumdar A, et al. Thermal transport measurements of individual multiwalled nanotubes. Phys Rev Lett, 2001, 87: 215502-1-4
Bower C, Rosen R, Jin L, et al. Deformation of carbon nanotubes in nanotube-polymer composites. Appl Phys Lett, 1999, 74: 3317–3319
Yakobson B I, Brabec C J, Bernholc J. Nanomechanics of carbon nanotubes: Instabilities beyond linear response. Phys Rev Lett, 1996, 76: 2511–2514
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liu, J., Yan, P. & Yue, G. Coating curly carbon nanotubes with monocrystalline Zn(BO2)2 and the mechanism of straightening the tubes. SCI CHINA SER G 49, 377–384 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11433-006-0377-8
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11433-006-0377-8