CARBON nanotubes1 are expected to have a wide variety of interesting properties. Capillarity in open tubes has already been demonstrated2–5, while predictions regarding their electronic structure6–8 and mechanical strength9 remain to be tested. To examine the properties of these structures, one needs tubes with well defined morphologies, length, thickness and a number of concentric shells; but the normal carbon-arc synthesis10,11 yields a range of tube types. In particular, most calculations have been concerned with single-shell tubes, whereas the carbon-arc synthesis produces almost entirely multi-shell tubes. Here we report the synthesis of abundant single-shell tubes with diameters of about one nanometre. Whereas the multi-shell nanotubes are formed on the carbon cathode, these single-shell tubes grow in the gas phase. Electron diffraction from a single tube allows us to confirm the helical arrangement of carbon hexagons deduced previously for multi-shell tubes1.

Single-shell carbon nanotubes of 1-nm diameter

The use of individual molecules as functional electronic devices was first proposed in the 1970s (ref 1) Since then, molecular electronics2,3 has attracted much interest, particularly because it could lead to conceptually new miniaturization strategies in the electronics and computer industry The realization of single-molecule devices has remained challenging, largely owing to difficulties in achieving electrical contact to individual molecules Recent advances in nanotechnology, however, have resulted in electrical measurements on single molecules4,5,6,7 Here we report the fabrication of a field-effect transistor—a three-terminal switching device—that consists of one semiconducting8,9,10 single-wall carbon nanotube11,12 connected to two metal electrodes By applying a voltage to a gate electrode, the nanotube can be switched from a conducting to an insulating state We have previously reported5 similar behaviour for a metallic single-wall carbon nanotube operated at extremely low temperatures The present device, in contrast, operates at room temperature, thereby meeting an important requirement for potential practical applications Electrical measurements on the nanotube transistor indicate that its operation characteristics can be qualitatively described by the semiclassical band-bending models currently used for traditional semiconductor devices The fabrication of the three-terminal switching device at the level of a single molecule represents an important step towards molecular electronics

Room-temperature transistor based on a single carbon nanotube

The major part of this chapter has already appeared in [1], but because of the length restrictions (in Science), the discussion on why we think this form is given in only brief detail. This chapter goes into more depth to try to answer the questions of why the fullerenes form themselves. This is another example of the very special behavior of carbon. From a chemist’s standpoint, it is carbon’s ability to form multiple bonds that allows it to make these low dimensional forms rather than to produce tetrahedral forms. Carbon can readily accomplish this and it is in the mathematics and physics of the way this universe was put together, that carbon is given this property. One of the consequences of this property is that, if left to its own devices as carbon condenses from the vapor and if the temperature range is just right, above 1000°C, but lower than 1400°C, there is an efficient self-assembly process whose endpoint is C60.

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/273/5274/483.full.pdf

Crystalline Ropes of Metallic Carbon Nanotubes

CARBON nanotubes are predicted to have interesting mechanical properties—in particular, high stiffness and axial strength—as a result of their seamless cylindrical graphitic structure1–5. Their mechanical properties have so far eluded direct measurement, however, because of the very small dimensions of nanotubes. Here we estimate the Young's modulus of isolated nanotubes by measuring, in the transmission electron microscope, the amplitude of their intrinsic thermal vibrations. We find that carbon nanotubes have exceptionally high Young's moduli, in the terapascal (TPa) range. Their high stiffness, coupled with their low density, implies that nanotubes might be useful as nanoscale fibres in strong, lightweight composite materials.

Exceptionally high Young's modulus observed for individual carbon nanotubes

The Young's modulus, strength, and toughness of nanostructures are important to proposed applications ranging from nanocomposites to probe microscopy, yet there is little direct knowledge of these key mechanical properties. Atomic force microscopy was used to determine the mechanical properties of individual, structurally isolated silicon carbide (SiC) nanorods (NRs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) that were pinned at one end to molybdenum disulfide surfaces. The bending force was measured versus displacement along the unpinned lengths. The MWNTs were about two times as stiff as the SiC NRs. Continued bending of the SiC NRs ultimately led to fracture, whereas the MWNTs exhibited an interesting elastic buckling process. The strengths of the SiC NRs were substantially greater than those found previously for larger SiC structures, and they approach theoretical values. Because of buckling, the ultimate strengths of the stiffer MWNTs were less than those of the SiC NRs, although the MWNTs represent a uniquely tough, energy-absorbing material.

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/277/5334/1971.full.pdf

Nanobeam mechanics: Elasticity, strength, and toughness of nanorods and nanotubes

The behavior of some narrow single-wall carbon nanotubes under uniaxial stress was studied. The first principles local density-functional calculations were carried out using helical repeat units and periodic boundary conditions for a single infinite chain. The mechanical response of the tube, the geometrical deformations, and the axial elastic modulus are calculated. The mechanical deformations are reflected also in the electronic properties. The change of the band gaps of the chiral tubules under axial stress was investigated. The indirect gaps of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ can be closed applying small $(l5%)$ deformations which results in semiconductor-metal transitions.

Density-functional study of the mechanical and electronic properties of narrow carbon nanotubes under axial stress

A partir des fonctions d'onde a un electron et des valeurs propres de ces materiaux, on calcule les sections efficaces moyennes spheriques pour l'emission des photoelectrons. On presente des resultats pour C 60 , C 70 et C 84 . Comparaison avec les donnees experimentales concernant C 60

Local-density-functional calculation of photoelectron spectra of fullerenes.

Electronic structure simulations of carbon nanotubes

We discuss the development of interaction potentials which explicitly allow for charge transfer in metallic oxides. The charge transfer is calculated self-consistently using a charge equilibration approach, which allows the amount of charge transferred to respond to the electrostatic environment. We model the metal-metal, metal-oxygen, and oxygen-oxygen interactions with Rydberg function pair potentials. By fitting the Rydberg potential parameters to the elastic and structural constants of the material, we arrive at an efficient model for the simulation of metallic oxides. We demonstrate the applicability of the model by describing some preliminary results on the rutile phase of titanium dioxide.

Charge transfer and bonding in metallic oxides

In this article, an all-electron first-principles total energy calculation with Gaussian-type functions for the wave functions, for the exchange correlation potential, and for the charge density has been applied for single chains of polyparaphenylene (PPP). A local-density approximation within a helical band structure approach has been used. The calculated torsional potential shows a minimum at the torsion angle of 34.8°. The internal coordinates were optimized in the equilibrium conformation and are in good agreement with experimental and other theoretical results. The calculated direct band gap is 2.54 eV compared with the experimental result from UPS spectra of 3.4 eV for the gas phase. The band structure strongly depends on the conformation which suggests that the electronic properties can be modified in a wide range through doping or addition of side groups.

/pdf/first-principles-calculation-of-the-conformation-and-4nkrv7q755.pdf

John W. Mintmire

Papers

Density-functional study of the mechanical and electronic properties of narrow carbon nanotubes under axial stress

Local-density-functional calculation of photoelectron spectra of fullerenes.

Electronic structure simulations of carbon nanotubes

Charge transfer and bonding in metallic oxides

First-principles calculation of the conformation and electronic structure of polyparaphenylene