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27 March 2010
Enhanced π–π Interactions Between a C60 Fullerene and a Buckle Bend on a Double-Walled Carbon Nanotube
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In situ low-voltage aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of the dynamic entrapment of a C60 molecule in the saddle of a bent double-walled carbon nanotube is presented. The fullerene interaction is non-covalent, suggesting that enhanced π–π interactions (van der Waals forces) are responsible. Classical molecular dynamics calculations confirm that the increased interaction area associated with a buckle is sufficient to trap a fullerene. Moreover, they show hopping behavior in agreement with our experimental observations. Our findings further our understanding of carbon nanostructure interactions, which are important in the rapidly developing field of low-voltage aberration corrected TEM and nano-carbon device fabrication.
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Enhanced π–π Interactions Between a C60 Fullerene and a Buckle Bend on a Double-Walled Carbon Nanotube
)
Abstract
In situ low-voltage aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of the dynamic entrapment of a C60 molecule in the saddle of a bent double-walled carbon nanotube is presented. The fullerene interaction is non-covalent, suggesting that enhanced π–π interactions (van der Waals forces) are responsible. Classical molecular dynamics calculations confirm that the increased interaction area associated with a buckle is sufficient to trap a fullerene. Moreover, they show hopping behavior in agreement with our experimental observations. Our findings further our understanding of carbon nanostructure interactions, which are important in the rapidly developing field of low-voltage aberration corrected TEM and nano-carbon device fabrication.
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Acknowledgements
SG acknowledges the "Pakt für Forschung und Innovation", and FS the Cusanuswerk for financial support. AB thanks the European Union (EU) for a Marie Curie (MC) fellowship (multifunctional carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications (CARBIO)). MD thanks the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD). SA and GC thanks the EU project carbon nanotube devices at the quantum limit (CARDEQ) and the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation World Class University (WCU) Project No. R31-2008-000-10100-0.
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