Reversible separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes in bundles

Abstract

We show that electrostatic charging of nanotubes and the consequent repulsion can lead to reversible separation of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes in bundles. Low-energy electron beam irradiation leads to this completely reversible phenomenon. A simple semianalytical model is used to explain the observed separation mechanism. The reversibility of the separation process is attributed to discharging and thermal-fluctuation induced motion of the nanotubes in ambient air. Further, the separation impacts the electrical conductance of small nanotube bundled devices.