Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy of isolated muitiwall carbon nanotubes

摘要

Scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) has been used to study isolated carbon nanotubes for the first time. STXM and transmission electron microscopy were applied to the same type of nanotubes, providing unique information about their composition, and electronic and structural properties. The carbon 1s near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectra show significant differences between muitiwall carbon nanotube and carbon nanoparticle contaminants. Pristine and acid treated muitiwall carbon nanotubes were also compared, highlighting the potential of the technique to differentiate surface functional groups at the nanoscale.