Fabrication of carbon nanotubes by electrical breakdown of carbon-coated Au nanowires

A carbon nanotube has been generated by the electrically-induced breakdown of a carbon-coated Au nanowire. Under high current density the Au in the nanowire migrates towards both the anode and cathode resulting in a free-standing carbon nanotube and a 73% reduction in resistance. The resistivity of the carbon nanotube was < 8 × 10− 5 Ω m and it could cope with a current density > 1.8 × 1011 A/m2, indicating a structural change from amorphous to graphitic carbon. The dimensions of carbon nanotubes produced in this way have an internal diameter controlled by the parent metal nanowire template.