Thermal and structural stability of single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes up to 1800 °C in Argon studied by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy

Effect of high temperature exposure (up to 1800 °C) on morphology of single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes in Argon atmosphere has been studied using Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Although, as received nanotubes contained irregular graphene layers and other structural defects, microscopic observations revealed that heat treatment in Argon reduced the defect density and helped proper alignment of graphene layers. Raman spectra of as received and heat treated nanotubes strongly reinforced the microscopic observations. While, D-band to G-band intensity ratio in Raman spectra of 1800 °C heat treated multiwalled nanotubes reduced by ∼43% over as received one, this ratio for heat treated singlewalled nanotubes was ∼27% lower than that of the untreated specimen. Present study suggested that although, multiwalled nanotubes were structurally stable up to 1800 °C in an inert atmosphere having only a few nano-scale defects, singlewalled nanotubes suffered considerable damage at 1800 °C due to much thinner dimension than the former.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Structural stability of carbon nanotubes up to 1800 °C in Argon (∼0.05 MPa). ► Thorough TEM and Raman spectroscopy of as received and heat treated CNTs. ► Analyses on the extent of structural changes during high temperature exposure. ► Discussion on safe upper temperature limit for practical use of SWCNTs and MWCNTs.