CNx/carbon nanotube junctions synthesized by microwave chemical vapor deposition

The CNx/carbon nanotube junctions were successfully synthesized by microwav e plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition method from the mixture of N-2/ CH4 and H-2/CH4 gases in a continuous growth process. High resolution trans mission electron microscopy revealed that these junctions were of heterostr ucture between CNx nanotubes with polymerized nanobells and cylindrical car bon nanotubes. The growth process is quite simple and can be easily scaled up. The intimate correlation between the electronic structure and the chemi cal composition at the both sides of the junction indicate some interesting properties and offers potential applications for future nanodevices. (C) 2 001 American Institute of Physics.