Ceasing of voltage switching amongst graphitic shells in multiwalled carbon nanotubes: A route toward stability

Weakly interacting graphitic shells of different resistivities within multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) cause instability in current and thus limit their reliability for electronic device applications. We here demonstrate voltage switching amongst graphitic shells of MWNTs by applying current sweeps with observed switching time in the range of 100-400 ms. We further demonstrate ceasing of this switching behaviour by local metal deposition on the MWNTs. After metal deposition, the graphitic shells behave like resistive wires connected altogether. This concept of metal deposition benefits in the higher conductivity and stable currents for MWNTs and proves their strong candidature as interconnecting wires. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3679397]