Radial distribution function analysis of carbon nanotubes

Wide-angle X-ray scattering studies of carbon nanotubes produced by catalytic decomposition of acetylene on a supported Co catalyst are reported. The X-ray intensities were recorded up to maximum scattering vector K-max = 24 Angstrom and then Fourier transformed to real space. Yielding the radial distribution functions of good spatial resolution were analysed by the model based on fitting procedures method. Detailed analysis of the experimental data by a least-squares fitting procedure shows that the local atomic structure exhibits the expected hexagonal network with the nearest-neighbour C-C distance of 1.41 Angstrom. Investigation of stacking nature of subsequent layers suggests the structure in which adjacent layers are arranged without spatial correlations with inter-tubule spacing of about 3.4 Angstrom.