Direct evidence on C-C single bonding in single-wall carbon nanohorn aggregates

The structure of single-wall carbon nanohorn (SWNH) was analyzed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. The considerably strong peak due to single bonding carbons was observed in C1s XPS spectrum of SWNH. This peak intensity increases with oxidation treatment, coinciding with the decrease in Raman G/D intensity ratio. It is concluded that the presence of a considerable amount of single bonding carbons is the reason for the unique assembly structure accompanying with a strong D-band in Raman spectrum of SWNH.