Transition metal surface decorated fullerenes as possible catalytic agents for the creation of single walled nanotubes of uniform diameter

In a recent paper, Thess et al. described the formation of single wall nanotubes of a quite uniform diameter, ca. 1.36 nm, and in good yield by laser-vaporising graphite in the presence of Ni and Co. We suggest that a layer of Ni/Co atoms, adsorbed on to the surface of C-60, provides a plausible catalyst template for this process. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.