Precise cutting of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We precisely cut single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) to create short nanotubes with controlled length and open ends using an ultra-microtome and magnetically aligned SWNT membranes. At −60 °C, multiple layers of SWNT membranes were stacked and frozen together, and then cut at lengths of 50 and 200 nm, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman characterizations clearly indicated that nanotubes were mechanically chopped to create open ends without notable sidewall damage. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization and statistical analysis showed that the length distributions of the cut SWNTs can be controlled. Short SWNTs are very promising for applications in biomolecular transportation, field emission, field effect transistor and nanocomposites.