Identifying individual single-walled and double-walled carbon nanotubes by atomic force microscopy.

DeBorde, Tristan; Joiner, J Caleb; Leyden, Matthew R; Minot, Ethan D · Nano Lett · 2008

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We show that the number of concentric graphene cylinders forming a carbon nanotube can be found by squeezing the tube between an atomic force microscope tip and a silicon substrate. The compressed height of a single-walled nanotube (double-walled nanotube) is approximately two (four) times the interlayer spacing of graphite. Measured compression forces are consistent with the predicted bending modulus of graphene and provide a mechanical signature for identifying individual single-walled and double-walled nanotubes.