A new method for synthesizing single-wall carbon nanotubes

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) were synthesized as short, open-end pipes using a new method. The carbon nanotubes with diameters of 70-100 nm was annealed at 800 °C under 5.5 GPa. The microstructural transformation of the SWNT was studied using transmission electron microscopy. High pressure may have played an important role in the SWNTs formation. High pressure may break up the structure of carbon nanotubes and promote transformations if the annealing temperatures is high enough to destroy the fiber structure.