Direct Observation of Carbon Nanotube Growth by Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy

We have succeeded in direct observations of the growth of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) in an ethanol gas by environmental transmission electron microscopy. A short MWNT has been grown by chemical vapor deposition from ethanol using Co as a catalyst. The catalyst nanoparticle has lifted off the substrate and, at the same time, a MWNT has been grown. After the interruption of the growth, the MWNT has been gradually transformed to a carbon onion. We consider that the transformation has been induced by knock-on displacement and Stone-Wales rearrangement.