Deformation of multiwalled nanometer-sized carbon capsules

Abstract

The deformation of isolated multiwalled carbon capsules of a few nanometers in diameter was observed by in situ transmission electron microscopy with simultaneous force measurement by means of an optical cantilever method as used in atomic force microscopy. The mechanical properties of the carbon nanocapsules were investigated on an atomic scale. A carbon nanocapsule of 2.50±0.06 nm in diameter was selected and compressed upto a strain of 0.06 at a force of up to 4.5±0.5 nN using a nanometer-sized gold tip of a microcantilever. By subsequent retraction, we measured the force between the carbon nanocapsule and the gold tip, and assessed the adhesion. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.