Ion beam joining of ceramic and carbon-based nanostructures

Abstract

Ion beam assisted joining of nanostructured materials is a relatively new field. In particular, ion beam technique has been proven to be worthwhile for joining ceramic nanostructures. However, a large scope is still remaining to study heterojunctions between two dissimilar materials as the process of formation of bonds between two dissimilar materials is still to be understood. In this work we pick up a ceramic oxide and carbon based material to study ion beam joining. Specifically, we for the first time show heterojunction formation between hydrogen titanate nanowire (HTNW) and carbon nanotube (CNT) by the low energy ion beam. In order to understand the mechanism, we have invoked density functional theory and three-dimensional ion–solid interaction simulations. Experimental results are supported by predictions of simulations and suggest that the joining is established through ion beam mixing, surface defects and sputter redeposition at the junction points. The current study enlightens how the defects and sputtered out atoms are involved in the joining process. The chemical bonds between HTNW and CNT are formed only when C vacancy and simultaneously non-lattice O and C were produced during irradiation. The effect of joining on electrical conductivity and surface wetting has also been studied experimentally in this work, which is supported by simulations.