Predicted structure and electronic properties of individual carbon nanocones and nanostructures assembled from nanocones

Calculations using an analytic potential show that carbon nanocones can exhibit conventional cone shapes or can form concentric wave-like metastable structures, depending on the nanocone radius. Single nanocones can be assembled into extended two-dimensional structures arranged in a self-similar fashion with fivefold symmetry as system size is increased. Calculations of the electronic properties of nanocones indicate that a pentagon in the centre of a cone is the most probable spot for emitting tunnelling electrons in the presence of an external field. This implies that nanocone assemblies, if practically accessible, could be used as highly localized electron sources for templating at scales below more traditional lithographies. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version).