Transformation of fullerene peapods to double-walled carbon nanotubes induced by UV radiation

Double-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared by XeCl-laser irradiation of fullerene (C-60 or C-70) peapods. Raman spectroscopy evidences less defect structure of outer tubes, as compared to those in double-walled carbon nanotubes grown by thermal treatment of peapods. The diameter distribution also differs from that of the thermally prepared nanotubes. At the given laser fluence, the conversion Of C-70@SWCNT into double-walled carbon nanotubes was more efficient than the corresponding conversion of C-60@SWCNT. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.