Structures and images of novel derivatives of carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and related new carbon forms

Abstract

In the light of the finding that carbon nanotubes get functionalized on reaction with acid and other oxidizing agents, the structures and shapes of nanotube derivatives resulting from possible reaction between functionalized nanotubes, are obtained by an energy minimization procedure and the structures, so obtained, are compared with the observed microscopic images. The shapes of fullerene -like and nanotupe - like structures containing seven - membered rings, in addition to six and five - membered rings, are depicted along with the structures of bent nanotubes containing similar ring systems. Diamond - graphite hybrid structures which constitute an important class of carbon materials are also investigated.