Atomistic simulations of irradiation effects in carbon nanotubes: an overview

Abstract

In this article, we first review recent work on the basic science of the mechanisms of irradiation-induced defect production and migration in carbon nanotubes. We then discuss a few ways in which understanding of the irradiation effects can be used to modify the properties of single nanotubes as well as macroscopic materials based on them. The results illustrate that there indeed exist several ways in which defects can have potentially useful effects on nanotube-based materials.

Acknowledgements

We thank Mr K. Oskenkorva for providing continued inspiration for this work. Dr K. Arstila is acknowledged for taking the SEM image of carbon nanotube paper. The work was made possible by the Academy of Finland under several research projects and the Centres of Excellence programme, as well as generous grants of computer time from CSC, the Finnish IT Center for Science.

Notes

†Recall that all carbon atoms in an intact carbon nanotube are 3-fold coordinated.