CNx/carbon nanotube junctions synthesized by microwave chemical vapor deposition

The CNx/carbon nanotube junctions were successfully synthesized by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition method from the mixture of N-2/CH4 and H-2/CH4 gases in a continuous growth process. High resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that these junctions were of heterostructure between CNx nanotubes with polymerized nanobells and cylindrical carbon nanotubes. The growth process is quite simple and can be easily scaled up. The intimate correlation between the electronic structure and the chemical composition at the both sides of the junction indicate some interesting properties and offers potential applications for future nanodevices. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.