Carbon nanotube chirality determines properties of encapsulated linear carbon chain

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how the chirality of carbon nanotubes influences the vibrational and electronic properties of encapsulated linear carbon chains, providing insights into their interaction and potential applications.

Contribution

It reveals the correlation between nanotube chirality and the properties of encapsulated carbon chains using tip-enhanced Raman scattering.

Findings

Radial breathing mode correlates with carbon chain Raman frequency

Nanotube chirality determines vibronic properties of encapsulated chains

Provides structural link between nanotube and chain properties

Abstract

Long linear carbon chains encapsulated inside carbon nanotubes are a very close realization of carbyne, the truly one-dimensional allotrope of carbon. Here we study individual pairs of double-walled carbon nanotubes and encapsulated linear carbon chains by tip-enhanced Raman scattering. We observe that the radial breathing mode of the inner nanotube correlates with the frequency of the carbon chain's Raman mode, revealing that the nanotube chirality determines the vibronic and electronic properties of the encapsulated carbon chain. We provide the missing link that connects the properties of the encapsulated long linear carbon chain with the structure of the host nanotube.