FROM CARBON NANOTUBES TO CARBON NANORODS

The structural properties of single and multi-wall carbon nanotubes and the formation of carbon nanorods from multi-wall carbon nanotubes have been investigated by performing molecular-dynamics computer simulations. Calculations have been realized by using an empirical many-body potential energy function for carbon. It has been found that carbon nanorod formation takes place with smallest possible multi-wall nanotubes under heat treatment. On the other hand, it has been also found that single-wall carbon nanotubes are stronger than the multi-wall nanotubes against heat treatment.