Radial deformation of single-walled carbon nanotubes on quartz substrates and the resultant anomalous diameter-dependent reaction selectivity

Owing to the unique conjugated structure, the chemical-reaction selectivity of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has attracted great attention. By utilizing the radial deformation of SWNTs caused by the strong interactions with the quartz lattice, we achieve an anomalous diameter-dependent reaction selectivity of quartz lattice-oriented SWNTs in treatment with iodine vapor; this is distinctly different from the widely reported and well accepted higher reaction activity in small-diameter tubes compared to large-diameter tubes. The radial deformation of SWNTs on quartz substrate is verified by detailed Raman spectroscopy and mappings in both G-band and radial breathing mode. Due to the strong interaction between SWNTs and the quartz lattice, large-diameter tubes present a larger degree of radial deformation and more delocalized partial electrons are distributed at certain sidewall sites with high local curvature. It is thus easier for the carbon–carbon bonds at these high-curvature sites on large-diameter tubes to break down during reaction. This anomalous reaction activity offers a novel approach for selective removal of small-bandgap large-diameter tubes.