Structural modification of carbon nanotubes by various ball milling

Shortening and opening of chemical vapour deposition (CVD)-processed multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were examined using various ball milling methods. Dry ball milling resulted in a rapid collapse of nanotubes, while wet milling with alcohol was effective to get short and open-tip nanotubes. The shortened and open MWCNTs by wet milling were filled with nanoparticles by capillary infiltration and a subsequent heat treatment. The structurally modified MWCNTs by shortening, opening and filling exhibited improved Li-storage properties. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.