2013/04/26 by Anteneh G Tefera, Tefera, Anteneh G, Mogus D Mochena +1
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci) #cond-mat.mtrl-sci
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1304.8078
5 pages and two figures
arxiv created 2013/04/26 · arxiv updated 2013/05/01
Symmetric minima of surface potential energy of a nanocatalyst act as nucleation sites for chirally selective initial growth of single walled carbon tubes at low temperatures. The nucleation sites are sites of maximum coordination number of the adsorbed carbon. We show this using the five fold symmetry of a pentagonal pyramid of an icosahedron. Initial zigzag structure from nucleation sites results in formation of hexagons and pentagons that result in anomalous cap formation. Possible cap lift off mechanism is discussed.