End morphology of ball milled carbon nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes have been shortened by ball milling under ambient conditions. Detailed high-resolution TEM studies of the carbon nanotube ends showed a high-percentage of carbon nanotubes had partially or completely collapsed openings. Their stability was also discussed. Based on the morphology of the broken ends, different mechanisms for carbon nanotubes cleavage under ball milling conditions were proposed.