What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to explore the coalescence mechanism of carbon nanotubes with identical chiral indices and its implications for nanotube synthesis.

March 12, 2026Vacuum and Surface Science0 citationsOpen Access

Chirality-Selective Coalescence of Carbon Nanotubes : Mechanism and Implications

YMYuhei MIYAUCHIKyoto University

Key Points

This research aims to explore the coalescence mechanism of carbon nanotubes with identical chiral indices and its implications for nanotube synthesis.
Coalescence of carbon nanotubes was observed under various temperatures below 1000℃.
Reaction efficiency was assessed in relation to chiral angle and the presence of trace oxygen.
Analysis of C–C bond cleavage and recombination during coalescence.
Carbon nanotubes coalesce into larger diameter (2n,2m) structures while preserving the chiral angle.
Efficient coalescence occurs even at temperatures as low as 600℃ with oxygen presence.
Chiral angle significantly influences the efficiency of the coalescence process.

Abstract

Two carbon nanotubes with the same chiral indices (n,m) are shown to coalesce into a (2n,2m) nanotube, preserving the chiral angle. This process occurs efficiently at temperatures below 1000℃. The reaction efficiency shows a strong dependence on the chiral angle, suggesting a sequential mechanism involving C–C bond cleavage and recombination. Furthermore, the reaction is observed to proceed effectively even at 600℃, in the presence of trace oxygen. These findings establish routes for the structure-selective synthesis of large-diameter nanotubes and provide a versatile post-processing approach for modifying the structural and electronic properties of carbon nanotube assemblies.

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