Defect-Induced Atomic Migration in Carbon Nanopeapod:  Tracking the Single-Atom Dynamic Behavior

Abstract

We demonstrate here the single-atom migration of Tb, Gd, or Ce metal from cage to cage through an intentionally induced atomic path within a carbon nanopeapod. The atomic path is actually an atomic defect (vacancy) induced at the fullerene cage during TEM observation. It is therefore proved that the atomic cage can be punctured by electron irradiation so that the imprisoned metal atoms can break out. The results definitively indicate the possibilities for an alternative method to transfer single atoms without using SPM tips but by using an "atomic carry-bag" such as fullerene.

Observations of Chemical Reactions at the Atomic Scale: Dynamics of Metal‐Mediated Fullerene Coalescence and Nanotube Rupture

“…The cation release was attributed to the direct knock-on damage of fullerene cages by the electron beam. [15,16] Our observations were carried out at 80 kV and with atomic resolution and clearly indicate that the breakage of the C 82 cage is specifically associated with the dysprosium atom. The energy of incident electrons transferred to the dysprosium atom may in turn be transferred to carbon atoms of the fullerene, thereby facilitating the rupture of the CÀC bonds in the vicinity of dysprosium atoms.…”

A Density Functional Theory Study of Chemical Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes; Toward Site Selective Functionalization

“…Intrinsic reaction coordination (IRC) analyses based on B3LYP calculations suggest that C 60 directly converts into a C 1 -C 59 defect as the initial intermediate with a barrier of 8.4 eV . Experimentally, the formation of defective fullerenes has been actually observed under electron irradiation in transmission electron microscopy measurements (TEM) (Urita et al, 2004;Sato et al, 2006). Thus, one can utilize the activation of guest molecules (e.g.…”

Beobachtung chemischer Reaktionen auf atomarer Ebene: Dynamik von Fullerenverschmelzung und Nanoröhrenbruch durch Vermittlung von Metallionen

“…Dieses Herauslösen der Metallatome wurde der direkten "Knock-on"-Schädigung der Fullerenkäfige durch den Elektronenstrahl zugeordnet. [15,16] Unsere Beobachtungen bei 80 kV geben klar zu erkennen, dass das Aufbrechen des C 82 -Käfigs spezifisch mit dem DyAtom in Verbindung zu bringen ist. Die Energie der Strahlelektronen könnte zunächst auf das Dy-Atom und von diesem dann auf die Fulleren-Kohlenstoffatome übertragen werden, was ein Aufbrechen der C-C-Bindungen gerade in der Umgebung des Dy-Atoms ermöglicht.…”