Controllable melting and flow of β-Sn in flexible amorphous carbon nanotubes

A high-yield of carbon nanotubes filled with β-Sn nanowires has been produced by the thermal pyrolysis of acetylene over SnO2 catalysts. Electron beam irradiation (EBI) induced melting and flow of Sn in the nanotubes and this could be controlled by changing the electron beam current density. The mass flow rate of the Sn ranged from 0.9 to 8.2 fg/s. The melting of the nanowires is a result of the temperature rise caused by the EBI. Many factors, including temperature variation, charging, and EBI induced deformation of the carbon shells, contribute to the flow of Sn.