(Invited) Carbon Nanotubes: From the Origin of Helicity to Application

Despite recent advances in experimental studies on the preferential and helicity selective growths of carbon nanotubes the mechanism of helicity formation still remains elusive, which hinder further progresses in selective synthesis. Here we will present the results of the studies on nucleation of the carbon cap, believed to be responsible for the helicity of the surface catalyzed carbon nanotubes. We found that the cap formation involves graphene growth across various adjacent facets of catalyst particle and an explicit introduction of defects. As a result the graphene embryos incorporate in their hexagonic network various polygons to accommodate the curved 3D geometry that initiates carbon dome formation. Taking into account the census of nanotube cap and the fact that given cap fits only one nanotube wall we suggest that the carbon cap can serve as a precursor that sets the symmetry of growing tube.

Our recent progresses in production of carbon nanotubes, nanotube reinforced composites and their potential applications also will be presented.