The structure of 1D and 3D CuI nanocrystals grown within 1.5–2.5 nm single wall carbon nanotubes obtained by catalyzed chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Catalyzed chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) grown single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with diameter of Dm=1.5–2.5nm were used as templates to host one-dimensional nanocrystals of CuI. The CuI@SWCNT nanocomposite was obtained using capillary filling of preopened SWCNTs by CuI melt at 650°C. Nanocomposite structural studies were performed on a FEI Titan 60–300 at 80kV. According to the model and image simulation CuI crystallizes within 1.5–2.0nm SWCNTs in the form of one-dimensional crystals with zinc blende or rock salt type unit cell connected by [001] edges and translated along 〈110〉. Copper cations occupy tetrahedral or octahedral sites in the lattice. In SWCNTs with Dm>2.0nm 3DCuI@SWCNTs were generated. The crystals of copper halides exhibit acceptor behavior as supported by Raman spectroscopy.