Translational Dynamics of One-Dimensional Fullerene Chains Encapsulated Inside Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Fullerenes inserted in single-walled carbon nanotubes, the so-called “peapods,” provide scientists with an exceptional molecular model system to study one-dimensional physics and confinement. In this communication, we present recent inelastic neutron scattering measurements concerning the translational dynamics of this one-dimensional system. The recent synthesis of a large amount of two-dimensional oriented samples allows us to extract the sole contribution of the inserted C₆₀ chains. The related quasi-elastic-like peak evolves with the temperature but never shows an additional inelastic contribution when lowering temperature, indicating that carbon peapod is a true one-dimensional system down to low temperatures.

Keywords:

• Fullerene
• nanotube
• peapod
• dynamics

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Jacques Ollivier who was of great help during the experiment on IN5 at the ILL as well as Julien Cambedouzou for interesting discussions.