CARBON NANOTUBES SYNTHESIZED IN A HYDROGEN ARC-DISCHARGE

We have developed a novel method to synthesize]] clean" carbon nanotubes with relatively higher yield using a hydrogen arc discharge. The quality and yield of the tubes depend sensitively on the gas pressure in the arc discharge. We have observed sharp, open-ended nanotubes with clear lattice fringes at the edges and empty interiors. The existence of these frozen-open-ended tubes in the buckybundles provides evidence for an open-ended growth model for nanotubes.© 1995 American Institute of Physics.