Abstract
A mechanism describing Ni38-catalyzed single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) growth has been elucidated using quantum mechanical molecular dynamics (QM/MD) methods. This mechanism is dominated by the existence of extended polyyne structures bound to the base of the initial SWNT cap-fragment. Polygonal ring formation, and hence SWNT growth itself, was driven by the continual, simultaneous extension of these polyyne chains and subsequent "ring collapse" (i.e., self-isomerization/interaction of these polyyne chains). The rate of the former exceeded that of the latter, and so this mechanism was self-perpetuating. Consequently, the observed kinetics of Ni 38-catalyzed SWNT growth were increased substantially compared to those observed using other transition metal catalysts of comparable size.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 8206-8211 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Physical Chemistry C |
Volume | 114 |
Issue number | 18 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 13 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |