Evolution of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes structure with increasing fluence of He ion irradiation

Effects of He ion irradiation on the structural properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are presented in this study. We carry out MWCNT ion irradiation gradually increasing the fluence. As grown MWCNTs possess a relatively large diameter (∼80 nm) and a significantly defective structure of the external walls. This paper shows how ion irradiation affects MWNTs Raman spectra. Quantitative analysis of the deconvoluted spectral components, together with the XPS and SEM data, help to suggest changes in the MWNTs crystal lattice.