Structural Characterization of C60 Nanotubes by Raman and TEM Analyses

Abstract

The wall of as-prepared C60 nanotubes contains solvent molecules and the wall structure changes by drying. This change of wall structure was examined by Raman spectrometry. The structural change of C60 nanotubes by heating was also investigated using the Raman and TEM analyses. The C6o nanotubes heated at 300°C in vacuum turned to a disordered structure with amorphous carbon, and finely dispersed copper nanocrystals were observed by HRTEM, suggesting that copper worked as a catalyst to decompose the C60 nanotubes.