Carbyne: electrochemical preparation and nanotube formation

Carbyne-like or polyyne-containing carbon was prepared by the electrochemic al reduction of PTFE. By heating and electron-beam irradiation in vacuum, c arbon nanotubes were formed on the surface of the prepared carbon material. Only when the carbon contains the polyyne structure, were the carbon nanot ubes found to be formed. From the view of the formation mechanism, the form ation route through polyyne is strongly suggested. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.