Ion Irradiation of Carbon Nanotubes: a STM Study

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes irradiated with Ar+ ions of low (5×1011 ions/cm2) and high (1015 ions/cm2) fluences were investigated by STM. Contrary to the case of low fluence irradiation, the defects produced during the high fluence irradiation could not be observed individually, and the surface of nanotubes became rough. Irradiated nanotubes could be easily bent by the STM tip. However, some nanotubes parts could not be moved, which suggest that these parts were bound to the substrate during irradiation.