Fabrication of carbon nanowire networks by Si ion beam irradiation

Abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were irradiated by 40keV Si ion beams with different doses, and the irradiation-induced structural transformation was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The formation of amorphous carbon nanowire and carbon nanowire networks is clearly confirmed. The processes of structural evolution and corresponding mechanism are studied. The results exhibit that the formation of carbon nanowire networks proceeds through three periods: local amorphization of nanotubes, formation of simple junctions, and the formation of networks. Ion irradiation could be a useful tool to interconnect the nanodevices in large-scale fabrication of nanodevices.