Comparative study of the stability of sulfide materials encapsulated in and expelled from multi-walled carbon nanotube capsules

► In situ transmission electron microscopy was used to study filled carbon nanotubes. ► Chalcogenide materials were removed from carbon nanotubes using electrical current flows. ► The discharge process does not alter the chemical identity of the material. ► The expelled chalcogenide material is less stable than the encapsulated remainders.