Comparative Study of a Coiled Carbon Nanotube by Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Depending on the way they are produced, carbon nanotubes can present different morphologies. For example, coiled carbon nanotubes can be found in the nanotube materials produced by catalytic decomposition of acetylene. We have used atomic force microscopy (AFM) in non-contact mode to study this particular form of nanotube material. A coiled carbon nanotube has been investigated by AFM and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By so doing, geometrical and structural characteristics have been examined. These experimental work have been compared to previous results, giving us a way to determine wether the coils are structures made up of elastically deformed tubes or structures containing topological defects like pentagons or heptagons made during the catalytic growth process.