Heterostructures of single-walled carbon nanotubes and carbide nanorods.

Zhang, Y; Ichihashi, T; Landree, E; Nihey, F; Iijima, S · Science · 1999

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A method based on a controlled solid-solid reaction was used to fabricate heterostructures between single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and nanorods or particles of silicon carbide and transition metal carbides. Characterization by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction indicates that the heterostructures have well-defined crystalline interfaces. The SWCNT/carbide interface, with a nanometer-scale area defined by the cross section of a SWCNT bundle or of a single nanotube, represents the smallest heterojunction that can be achieved using carbon nanotubes, and it can be expected to play an important role in the future fabrication of hybrid nanodevices.