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Research Article | Open Access

Nanotubes in a Gradient Electric Field as Revealed by STM–TEM Technique

Dmitri Golberg1,2(), Pedro M. F. J. Costa1,3(), Masanori Mitome1, Yoshio Bando2
Nanoscale Materials Center amiki 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 Japan
International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science Namiki 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 Japan
Center for Research in Ceramics and Composite Materials University of Aveiro 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Abstract

We have investigated the behavior of two nanotube systems, carbon and boron nitride, under controlled applied voltages in a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) unit. Individual nanotubes (or thin bundles) were positioned between a piezo-movable gold electrode and a biased (up to ±140 V) STM tip inside the pole-piece of the microscope. The structures studied include double- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (the latter having diverse morphologies due to the various synthetic procedures utilized), few-layered boron nitride nanotube bundles and multi-walled boron nitride nanotubes (with or without functionalized surfaces). The electrical breakdown, physical failure, and electrostatic interactions are documented for each system.

Keywords

Carbon nanotubesboron nitride nanotubestransmission electron microscopescanning tunneling microscope

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Nano Research
Volume 1 Issue 2,
February 2008
Pages 166-175
DOI: 10.1007/s12274-008-8010-y
Cite this article:
Golberg D, Costa PMFJ, Mitome M, et al. Nanotubes in a Gradient Electric Field as Revealed by STM–TEM Technique. Nano Research, 2008, 1(2): 166-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-008-8010-y
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Electrical parameters and structural response of various types of carbon and boron nitride nanotubes to a gradient electric field created by the in situ TEM nanotube biasing

SystemTube typeElectrical resistance (kΩ)Electrical breakdownvoltage (V)Physical failurevoltage (V)Behavioralcomments
CarbonDouble-walled nanotube bundles Individual arc-discharge nanotubes Plasma-enhanced CVD-grown fibers(~1−2)×103 (~1.8−2)×102 ~ 6 × 102~1−2 (bunch)Metallic (single) Metallic Metallic~9 ~8−10 ~4−7Gradual bundle unraveling Consumption from outer layers Gradual fiber thinning to from single graphene sheet
Boron nitrideFew-walled nanotube bundles Individual multi-walled nanotubes Carbon functionalized multi-walled nanotubes> 107 > 107 (~20−60) × 103> 140 > 140 ~20−40> 140 > 140 ~70Bundle repulsion/ attraction under polarity change Switch-like action under polarity change Burning with residue of graphitic balls