Abstract
We applied the recently developed reactive force field (ReaxFF) to study the dynamics of tubular fullerene formation process starting from C60 -buckyball/nanotube peapod structures. We found that the space confinement provided by the single-wall nanotube encapsulating the buckyballs is of critical importance to this coalescence reaction. We also simulated the effects of Ni particles on the coalescence process and found a significant reduction of the reaction initiation temperature in the presence of these catalysts. One important quantity is the energy barrier of forming a 4-membered ring between adjacent buckyballs. This barrier is lowered by 40% with the aid of Ni-catalysis. This research can help the community to gain a better understanding of the complicated growth processes in fullerene systems.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Article number | 134107 |
Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 75 |
Issue number | 13 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 25 2007 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics