Molecular wires, solenoids, and capacitors by sidewall functionalization of carbon nanotubes

Theoretical investigations (density-functional tight binding) about the changes of the properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by fluorination are reported. It is shown that a sidewall functionalization of SWNTs may lead to tubes with a wide variety of electronic properties, ranging from insulating over semiconducting to a metallic-like behavior. Therefore, a chemical derivatization of SWNTs may open possibilities for tailoring the electronic properties of nanotubes, providing nanoscale wires, capacitors, and solenoids. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)00634-3].