Light-emitting filaments composed of nanometer-sized carbon hollow capsules

Abstract

Filaments composed of multilayered carbon hollow capsules less than 10 nm in diameter have been synthesized from crystalline whiskers of fullerene C60 of submicrometer in diameter by preliminary heating at 1373 K and successive impression of current. The structural, electrical and optical properties of the filaments were studied by in situ transmission electron microscopy combined with the functions of scanning probe microscopy. We found that the filaments easily emit visible light at a maximum wavelength of 700-730 nm by the application of a few volts. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.