Extraction of Linear Carbon Chains Unravels the Role of the Carbon Nanotube Host

Author(s)
Lei Shi, Kazuhiro Yanagi, Kecheng Cao, Ute Kaiser, Paola Ayala, Thomas Pichler
Abstract

Linear carbon chains (LCCs) have been shown to grow inside double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), but isolating them from this hosting material represents one of the most challenging tasks toward applications. Herein we report the extraction and separation of LCCs inside single-walled carbon nanotubes (LCCs@SWCNTs) extracted from a double-walled host LCCs@DWCNTs by applying a combined tip-ultrasonic and density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU) process. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, optical absorption, and Raman spectroscopy show that not only short LCCs but clearly long LCCs (LLCCs) can be extracted and separated from the host. Moreover, the LLCCs can even be condensed by DGU. The Raman spectral frequency of LCCs remains almost unchanged regardless of the presence of the outer tube of the DWCNTs. This suggests that the major importance of the outer tubes is making the whole synthesis viable. We have also been able to observe the interaction between the LCCs and the inner tubes of DWCNTs, playing a major role in modifying the optical properties of LCCs. Our extraction method suggests the possibility toward the complete isolation of LCCs from CNTs.

Organisation(s)
Electronic Properties of Materials
External organisation(s)
Universität Ulm, Tokyo Metropolitan University
Journal
ACS Nano
Volume
12
Pages
8477–8484
No. of pages
8
ISSN
1936-0851
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.8b04006
Publication date
08-2018
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103020 Surface physics, 103018 Materials physics, 103009 Solid state physics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Engineering, General Physics and Astronomy, General Materials Science
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/c9898888-0b63-428d-8b9a-ad269c838b90