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Nanoscale materials; Synthesis and processing
Abstract:
Strong chemical activity and extreme instability in ambient conditions characterize carbyne, an infinite sp1 hybridized carbon
chain. As a result, much less has been explored about carbyne as compared to other carbon allotropes such as fullerenes,
nanotubes and graphene. Although end-capping groups can be used to stabilize carbon chains, length limitations are still a
barrier for production, and even more so for application. We report a route for the bulk production of long acetylenic linear
carbon chains protected by thin double-walled carbon nanotubes. The synthesis of very long arrangements is confirmed by a
combination of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diraction and (near-field) near-resonance Raman spectroscopy. Our
results establish a route for the bulk production of exceptionally long and stable chains composed of more than 6,000 carbon
atoms, representing an elegant forerunner towards the final goal of carbyne’s bulk production.
