In a collaboration with the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW) the interactions between a fullerene molecula and a buckle bend on a double-walled carbon nanotube has been studied. The work is presented on the cover of Nano Research, issue 03/2010.The original paper: S. Gorantla, S. Avdoshenko, F. Börrnert, A. Bachmatiuk, M. Dimitrakopoulou, F. Schäffel, R. Schönfelder, J. Thomas, T. Gemming, J. H. Warner, G. Cuniberti, J. Eckert, B. Büchner, and M. H. Rümmeli, "Enhanced π-π interactions between a C₆₀ fullerene and a buckle bend on a double-walled carbon nanotube", Nano Research 3, 92 (2010).

Abstract:

In situ low-voltage aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of the dynamic entrapment of C₆₀ molecule in the saddle of a bent double-walled carbon nanotube is presented. The fullerene interaction is non-covalent, suggesting that enhanced π-π interactions (van der Waals forces) are responsible. Classical molecular dynamics calculations confirm that the increased interaction area associated with a buckle is sufficient to trap a fullerene. Moreover, they show hopping behavior in agreement with our experimental observations. Our findings further our understanding of carbon nanostructure interactions, which are important in the rapidly developing field of low-voltage aberration corrected TEM and nano-carbon device fabrication.