MANIPULATION OF CARBON NANOTUBE BUNDLES WITH CONTACT MODE ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY

The cutting and splitting of carbon nanotube bundles were realized with an atomic force microscopy (AFM) in contact mode. The results of manipulating were found depending on the tip–bundle interaction and bundle–substrate interaction. With an optimal force load of AFM tip, the lateral force applied on the nanotube bundle could overcome the adhesive interaction between nanotubes within the bundle, consequently separating individual nanotubes from the bundle. The threshold of the tip force load was found to be ~45 nN in our experiments. This technique provides new possibilities for the controllable manipulation of carbon nanotubes.