In situ electron energy-loss spectroscopy on carbon nanotubes during deformation

Local modifications to the electronic structure during the bending deformation of carbon nanotubes are probed by in situ electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Reversible changes in the carbon K(1s) absorption near-edge fine structures are detected at the inner bending side for a multiwalled carbon nanotube and attributed to the curvature-induced electronic structure alteration of the graphite layers. More intensive changes in the carbon K edge across an abrupt kink of a bundle of single-walled carbon nanotubes are observed over a region of 4-5 nm around the kink. These results clearly demonstrate the unique deformation behavior of the carbon nanotube, namely, a high elastic deformability and variable electronic properties associated with bending. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.