Formation and stability of parallel carbon nanotube junctions

Parallel single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) junctions are investigated using tight-binding Monte Carlo simulations. SWCNTs of different size and type, including zigzag (3,0)-(8,0) and armchair (2,2)-(6,6) without defects, are investigated. The calculation results show that the stable parallel junctions can be formed by small size nanotubes, when the two tubes close to each other. The coalescence of tubes to larger ones and interlinking of two tubes have been obtained. The discussion of the effect of size and type of SWCNT, as well as the contact mode, on the formation of junctions shows that thin zigzag tubes with bond crossing hexagon interface are favorable for forming junctions.